Seminar Room 4

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See it. Stop it. Say it. A Proactive Framework Focused on Adult Behaviours

– Connie Borg, Child Australia

This session introduces the Adult Behaviour Traffic Light tool, designed to support staff in recognising, reflecting on, and responding to adult behaviours that may be inappropriate, boundary-blurring, or unsafe.

The framework groups behaviours into three clear categories—green (safe, professional, and appropriate), amber (concerning, unclear, or boundary-testing), and red (harmful, unsafe, or high-risk). By using this shared language, the tool makes it easier for all team members to raise concerns early, seek clarification, and take action when something doesn’t feel right.

At its core, the framework is about more than identifying risk—it’s about building a culture where safety and professionalism are not just assumed, but actively maintained and continuously reinforced.

Circles of Connection: Building Belonging, Relationships, and Shared Leadership in Early Learning

– Ella de la Motte & Kate Montiglio, Early Childhood Consultants

Connection is at the heart of early childhood education, yet too often our daily practices become fragmented—children here, educators there, whilst families are often on the outside, looking in. In this interactive workshop, Ella & Kate invites participants into the practice of Circles of Connection: intentional, inclusive spaces where relationships, belonging, and shared leadership are actively nurtured.

Drawing on lived practice from Cambridge Hills Preschool and Ella’s consultancy experience, this session explores how circles, can reshape our ways of being with children, colleagues, and families. Circles of Connection create environments where every voice is heard, children experience authentic participation, educators feel seen and valued, and families are invited into genuine partnership.

This workshop is deliberately hands-on and movement-based. Participants won’t just hear about circles—they will experience them. Through guided circle structures, reflective dialogue, and collaborative activities, attendees will explore the different layers of connection. As they engage, participants will begin to notice how their own circles—whether with children, colleagues, or families—start to connect, bounce off each other, and overlap in meaningful ways. These intersections highlight the strength of relationships and the ripple effects that occur when connection is prioritised.

Grounded Educators, Grounded Children: The Role of Educator Regulation in ECEC

– Danica See, Little Bloom Consultancy

We talk a lot about helping children regulate their emotions, but what about us?

In the fast pace and high-pressure nature of early childhood settings, it’s all too easy to slip into autopilot. We raise our voice even though we swore we wouldn’t. We give a consequence we truly didn’t mean. We walk away feeling guilty, depleted, or like we’re failing the children. This workshop is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with ourselves, first and foremost, so we can support children more meaningfully (especially when big feelings and tricky behaviours arise).

Grounded Educators, Grounded Children explores the critical (but often overlooked) role of emotional competence in our work – not just for children, but for the adults who care for them. We’ll unpack the three core components of emotional competence: emotion knowledge, expression, and regulation, and how building these skills in ourselves strengthens our ability to show up for children with presence, intention, and compassion.

Koorlong Moort: Embedding Noongar Language, Song, and Story in Early Childhood Education

– Kobi Morrison & The Koorlong Team, Koorlong

Koorlong Moort is a transformative educational initiative that integrates Noongar cultural knowledge into Australian classrooms through music and language. Developed by the Koorlong team, this program offers curated resources – including songs, videos, and teaching materials aligned with national curriculum standards. Rooted in the principle of Two-Way Seeing, it fosters mutual respect between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. The initiative empowers educators to authentically engage with Noongar culture, promoting reconciliation and cultural celebration. Through partnerships, workshops and digital content, Koorlong Moort supports a new generation of culturally aware learners and educators

This immersive workshop invites educators, artists, and cultural practitioners to experience Koorlong Moort—a groundbreaking initiative that brings Noongar and First Nations song, language, and storytelling into the classroom. Rooted in the philosophy of Two-Way Seeing, the workshop blends Indigenous and Western pedagogies to foster deep cultural understanding and respectful engagement. Participants will be guided through interactive sessions featuring Noongar song and language activities, co-developed with Elders and cultural custodians. The workshop provides hands-on experience with curriculum-aligned resources, including music recordings, teaching guides, and digital tools designed to support culturally responsive education.

Ideal for those seeking to enrich their teaching practice, deepen their cultural competence, and contribute to reconciliation through the arts!

Get to know the Speakers

  • Connie has over 25 years’ experience in a variety of community and education and care services, holding positions that have given her a wealth of experience in service operations, family and community support and training, assessing and mentoring. Connie is passionate about the care and education of all children but specializes in the areas of infants and toddlers, recently completing her masters in Infant Mental Health.

    Along with strong community involvement, Connie believes support and guidance to build educator capacity is the best way to drive quality improvement and a sustainable service. Connie has spent some time working with children, families and community in the remote in Willowra community, located in Australia’s e Central Desert region. During her time in Willowra Connie worked with the local Warlpiri Education and Training Trust (WETT) Reference group to develop community specific early childhood programs and staff, Early Childhood Training programs for the community.

    • Ella de la Motte 

    Ella de la Motte is an Early Childhood Consultant with more than 30 years of experience spanning every level of the early learning sector. Her career has included roles as educator, teacher, nominated supervisor, and Director of Culture and Development, before moving into consultancy where she now partners with services across Australia to create meaningful, sustainable change.
    Ella is deeply passionate about environments, pedagogy, and leadership that honour relationships at the heart of children’s learning. She challenges educators to look beyond compliance-driven practice and instead embrace slow, intentional approaches that foster creativity, wellbeing, and belonging. Her work highlights the importance of critical reflection and encourages teams to explore why they do what they do, not just how.

    Drawing on current research, real-world examples, and three decades of lived experience, Ella brings a balance of warmth, humour, and rigour to her sessions. She has worked with large organisations, small community-based preschools, and independent early learning centres, always tailoring her approach to the unique context of each service.

    Ella is a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, known for her engaging style and ability to challenge assumptions without overwhelming participants. Whether presenting on inclusive environments, documentation, leadership, or pedagogy, she weaves together stories, strategies, and provocations that invite educators to think differently about their role. At the core of her practice is the belief that when educators feel inspired and supported, children and families thrive.

    • Kate Montiglio

    Kate Montiglio is an Early Childhood Teacher and educational leader at Cambridge Hills Preschool. With a career dedicated to fostering environments of belonging, Kate has become a passionate advocate for connection as the foundation of all learning. She believes that when children, families, and educators feel seen and valued, authentic growth and collaboration follow.
    At Cambridge Hills Preschool, Kate has led the development of practices that place relationships at the centre of the curriculum.

    She has pioneered approaches that strengthen partnerships with families, amplify children’s voices, and empower educators to work as a collective. Her leadership is rooted in inclusivity and shared responsibility, ensuring that decision-making reflects the perspectives of everyone in the learning community.

    Kate brings expertise in reflective practice, inclusive pedagogy, and collaborative leadership. She has a particular interest in exploring how eve

  • Danica See is an early childhood teacher, university lecturer, practicum supervisor, and early childhood education consultant. She is the founder of Little Bloom where she supports educators, teachers, and teams to reimagine how they approach behaviour through the lens of neuroscience, child development, and children’s rights.

    With over 17 years of experience in the early childhood sector, Danica is known for her relatable, research-informed approach that bridges the gap between theory and practice. Her work centres on helping educators feel confident, capable, and connected in their role – especially when navigating big feelings and tricky behaviour. Danica is also the host of The Bloom Room podcast and a passionate advocate for emotionally safe learning environments that prioritise belonging both for children and the adults who care for them.

  • Kobi Arthur Morrison is a Bibbulmun Noongar artist, educator, and cultural coordinator born and raised in Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia. As co-creator of Koorlong Moort, Kobi has played a central role in developing this transformative initiative that shares Noongar language and culture through music, in schools and early years’ services.

    Through Koorlong, Kobi has led immersive workshops that blend song, storytelling, and language learning, empowering educators and students to engage with First Nations culture in meaningful ways. His work is rooted in the principle of Two-Way Seeing, which values both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.

    Beyond Koorlong, Kobi is the creative force behind Koortal, a musical project that celebrates Noongar identity through heartfelt compositions written primarily in the Noongar language. His initiatives also include Madjitil Moorna, Koondarm, Walyalup Kannajil choirs all of which promote First Nations music and cultural education across Australia.

    Kobi has served as:

    • Artist-in-Residence at Bold Park Community School
    • Noongar Language Teacher at Moorditj Noongar Community College
    • Coordinator for Madjitil Moorna
    • Board Member and Translator for Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company
    • Member of the Aboriginal Advisory Group at Community Arts Network

    His contributions have earned him multiple accolades, including:

    • 2018 Perth NAIDOC Youth of the Year
    • 2020 Sealin Garlett Community Leadership Award
    • 2021 Performing Arts WA Award

    Kobi’s work is a vibrant expression of cultural pride, healing, and education—bringing Noongar songlines and stories into the hearts of classrooms and communities. Kobi’s leadership and creativity have earned him recognition, including the 2018 Perth NAIDOC Youth of the Year Award, and he continues to inspire through his commitment to cultural revitalization and education

    Co-presenters:

    • Keira Gentle – Presenter, fashion designer, cultural facilitator
    • Cezera Critti-Schnaars – Presenter, actress, storyteller
    • Kylie Walpole – Primary Coordinator, educator
    • Lisa Vreeken – Early Childhood Coordinator, educator