Breakout Room Speakers

Professor Lennie Barblett AM has research interests in quality early childhood curriculum and practices, play based learning, effective environments and children’s wellbeing. She has been invited to contribute to the work of numerous state and national committees and working parties focusing on universal access of quality early childhood learning. She is a co-writer of the ECA Code of Ethics and has recently worked across Australia with the writing team on the updates of the Early Years Learning and My Time Our Place frameworks.

Mindsets play a crucial role in shaping all aspects of our lives, shaping individual beliefs and interactions. The updated Early Years Learning Framework mandates educators to cultivate growth mindsets for lifelong learning. Dr. Fiona Boylan leads groundbreaking research in this field, offering design principles for early childhood educators. Through her wokshop on “Fostering growth mindsets in the early years”, learn practical strategies to encourage children to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and foster a love for learning. Discover how positive feedback and language can promote growth mindsets and create a culture supporting risk-taking and personal growth.

Through the “Emotional Intelligence and You” workshop, Bec and Carren will discuss about Contributing to Being, Belonging and Becoming for everyone.Emotional intelligence empowers individuals to contribute positively to their workplace by fostering inclusivity, empathy and understanding. By developing self-awareness, managing emotions effectively, and showing empathy towards colleagues, employees can create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This contributes to a culture of belonging where individuals can thrive, grow, and reach their full potential, ultimately benefiting both the employees and service as a whole.

The workshop “Integrating Best Practice Autism Specific Early Intervention Strategies and Resources to Early Learning Settings” by Leanne and Themia have over 15 years of knowledge within the Early Childhood sector. With backgrounds in Early Childhood Teaching, both speakers have an authentic passion for breaking down the barriers to inclusion and creating environments for young children to thrive in where their needs and wants are valued, appreciated and met.

Aunty Freda’s workshop on Cultural Responsibility is titled “Kaaditjen, Nih, Waankininy”. Aunty Freda is a respected Whadjuk/Ballardong Elder who has retired from teaching. She has devoted her time to enhancing Early Childhood Education and care within the Aboriginal community. She has been actively involved in policy development and has contributed to various Aboriginal Early Childhood programs in both the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Furthermore, Aunty Freda has engaged in educating and developing innovative strategies and programs for students from different linguistic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

During this session “Connected to Culture:Tools for Reflective Practice”, Tameeka and Stacey from SNAICC will speak about the success of Yappera Children’s service in the area of cultural responsiveness. While listening and participating, you will have the opportunity to engage in a sensory activity using your own weaving pack. This workshop will provide you with the benefits of art for wellbeing and resilience. Additionally, the session will introduce you to our Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisation Early Years Checklist document, which is a tool to help your service create sustainable professional learning plans with authentic, contextual, and targeted goals. The checklist includes indicators that highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and how services can empower children, families, and communities.

Through Kylie’s workshop “Child Centred Play Therapy- The Power of Play”, she focuses on the key aspect of play, and how children use play to communicate to the adults in their lives, including educators. The session will focus on the presentation area of social and emotional well-being as it will provide information about:* Exploring the topic of play, and why it is important to children of all ages;* What play therapy is, how it supports children’s personal and mental health growth;* How it assists in facilitating meaningful change for children with a range of presenting issues;* How it supports them to thrive in their connection and relationships with the adults in their lives including early childhood practitioners;* Opportunity for attendees to practice the core skills of play therapy including tracking and reflecting feelings through interactive demonstrations and pair exercises; and* Group reflective exercise including recommendations for how to integrate play therapy into early childhood spaces and summary of material covered.

Sandra’s workshop, “Beyond the Basics: Understanding the Impact of Foundational Motor Patterns on Advanced Cognitive and Social Skills”, aimed at delving into the relationship between early motor development and higher cognitive functions, such as listening, learning, and building relationships. It will provide an understanding of the neuroscience behind motor patterns or reflexes and the crucial role they play in a child’s overall wellbeing. Participants will gain insights into the connection between retained reflexes or inhibited motor pattern development and various challenges in children, such as poor coordination, difficulties in learning to read and write, and challenges in forming social connections. This segment will significantly focus on the relationship between retained primitive reflexes and developmental disorders, including ADHD and specific learning disabilities. The session will offer strategies and ideas to assist children who present with retained reflexes that affect their functionality in home and school environments. Attendees will learn about the normal progression of reflexes at various ages and acquire strategies to foster healthy development, with opportunities for questions and in-depth discussions. Participants will leave with practical knowledge and strategies to support and nurture children in their journey towards holistic development.

This immersive professional learning opportunity titled “Understanding the Four Function of Behaviour and Behaviour Modification Process ” equips early childhood leaders, educators, researchers and practitioners with skills to identify, understand and modify challenging behaviors in children. It covers the critical aspects of Positive Behavior Support, the four Functions of Behavior, and a 5 Step Behavior Modification process. Participants will learn to analyse behavior, develop effective strategies and foster positive & sustainable alternatives, underscoring the potential to contribute to the body of knowledge in Positive Behaviour Support. This interactive workshop aims to create a conducive learning environment for young learners.

Now, more than ever before, our ECE teams are exhausted, overwhelmed and experiencing more challenging behaviours, from more children more often. Through the workshop “Chaos to Calm: The Brain Behind BIG Feelings & BIGGER Behaviors,” we’ll explore the root causes of emotional outbursts and challenging behaviors. Discover how these moments can empower your teaching team, strengthen relationships and expand children’s mental health toolkits with fun and practical strategies. Using real-life examples, implementation strategies and ‘toolkit’ building, we’ll play and move our way along a roadmap for the integration of simple strategies.

Barry’s workshop, “Personal Performance and Stress Optimization,” aims to enhance employee performance and wellbeing. Participants will learn techniques to increase focus, confidence and productivity whilst reducing anxiety and stress. The workshop aims to investigate personal performance and self-esteem, develop performance tools, improve mind & body connection, and identify tools for overcoming stress.

Felicity’s journey of navigating her children’s autism and ADHD diagnoses, alongside her own ADHD diagnosis and learning disorders recognition, fuels her passion for neurodiversity advocacy. With a background in psychology and ongoing Master’s studies in educational neuroscience, Felicity aims to bridge existing gaps in understanding. Her mission is to empower educators and parents, creating inclusive environments where every student feels safe, seen and celebrated.