Mindfulness, Resilience and Thriving in Early Childhood Education
– by Charlotte Thaarup
Feeling overwhelmed is common in early childhood settings but it doesn’t have to be the norm. This warm, practical workshop offers a fresh take on resilience, grounded in mindfulness and supported by tools that foster clarity, connection, and calm. We’ll explore a framework for accountability drawn from Transactional Analysis, and use the Circle of Concern vs. Circle of Influence to shift from reactivity to empowered action.
You will also complete the Saboteur test, a simple yet revealing tool that helps identify the inner narratives that quietly undermine confidence, connection, and clarity. Understanding your Saboteurs opens the door to greater self-compassion, emotional regulation, and more conscious choices in challenging moments. It helps you build resilience.
We will explore the power of presence and you will leave with a clear sense of what to do differently – both personally and professionally. You’ll walk away with practical strategies and a deeper understanding of the key elements of resilience and ready to start on your Mindfulness Path.
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Charlotte is a pioneer of mindfulness in Australia, having trained hundreds of psychologists and business leaders. She has facilitated over 150 mindfulness retreats across various countries. Her innovative corporate programs, such as Mindfulness@Work and Mindful Leadership, focus on body-based mindfulness and leadership. Additionally, she contributes to Newcastle University’s Executive MBA program and the Corrective Services Executive Leadership Program through her workshops.
In this keynote, Charlotte will offer valuable insights, tools, and techniques to help you thrive both professionally and personally. Click the button below to learn more.
A Calm Brain is a Thinking Brain:
Connecting Neuroscience to the Design of the Learning Environment
– by Dr Kathryn Murray
Future Strong Education Consultancy
Discover how to create early childhood learning environments that support calm, connection, and deep thinking in this engaging 45-minute session. “A Calm Brain is a Thinking Brain” explores the revolutionary Brain-SET Environments Formula®, a neuroscience-based framework that helps educators design specifically curated spaces where children experience a sense of safe, are emotionally connected, and inspired to learn. Learn practical strategies to organize classrooms with intentional layouts, soothing sensory elements, and open-ended materials that foster creativity, self-regulation, collaboration and learning. See real examples of transformed environments from across the world and gain tools to calm the classroom and boost engagement. Perfect for early childhood educators seeking to enhance wellbeing and cognitive growth through thoughtful environment design that supports the developing brain.
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Dr Kathryn Murray is the proud to be the founder of Future Strong Education Consultancy, based in Australia. She is passionate about aligning the workplace environment with the needs of the brain to create opportunities for success, joy, productivity and calm. This is achieved using her Brain-SET Environments Formula®, a cutting edge approach grounded in research and over 40 years of personal experience in the education field. Brain-SET has been applied in classrooms and work spaces globally. Kathryn is an international environment design expert, an award-winning early childhood education specialist, highly sought-after Keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. She is a mentor, coach, and author. Kathryn has written numerous articles on productive environments, teaching practices, wellbeing, and parenting. She is grateful to have had the opportunity to support children, educators, teams, leaders, corporate organisations and parents to be all they can be.
Walking Beisde, Not Ahead
Educators as Allies for First Nations Children
– by Nicole Brown
A 2022 City of Darwin Citizen of the Year and Darwin Community NAIDOC Volunteer of the Year, Nicole was also named one of LinkedIn’s Top First Nations Voices, using her platform to elevate Black excellence and amplify Indigenous-led solutions.
If you’ve got burning questions about First Nations engagement, cultural connection, or ways we can do better together, now’s the time to send them through. No question is off limits, and your input will help shape a truly meaningful discussion.
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Nicole Brown is a proud Larrakia woman, dynamic leader, and award-winning advocate for Australia’s First Nations peoples. With over a decade of experience across Indigenous affairs, regional economic development, corporate strategy, and stakeholder engagement, Nicole brings deep cultural insight and strategic expertise to every space she enters.
As the Founder and Director of Following In Their Footsteps, Nicole leads a values-driven consultancy dedicated to Indigenous engagement, cultural advisory, and policy influence. Her work bridges business, government, and community, helping organisations walk respectfully with First Nations people through initiatives that centre cultural safety, inclusion, and long-term impact.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Do you have a question about the Little People, Big Dreams Conference? Want to get involved? We would like to hear from you!