“Wired to Connect”
The Neuroscience of Seeing Ourselves and Every Child
– by Professor Selena Bartlett
Neuroscientist, Queensland University of Technology
Professor Selena Bartlett is a world-renowned neuroscientist and Group Leader of Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity at the Translational Research Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health at the Queensland University of Technology.
A widely published neuroscientist, author of “Being Seen” and commentator on neuroscience and its application in the real world. Professor Bartlett offers highly practical applications to help organisations and individuals to deal more successfully with the stresses of the modern workplace and living.
In this keynote, Professor Selena Bartlett will discuss how our brains are wired for connection and how being truly seen shapes a child’s brain and well-being. Click the button below to learn more.
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Professor Selena Bartlett will explore how our brains are biologically wired for connection and how being truly seen can shape a child’s brain, sense of self, and lifelong well-being. Grounded in the latest neuroscience, it unpacks how early relationships, attuned caregiving, and emotional safety build resilient, connected brains. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this session offers insight and practical tools better to understand yourself and the children in your life—because every child deserves to be seen, heard, and known.
“Mindful Caring for Early Childhood Educators”
An Integrated Approach for Healthy Relationships, Reduced Stress, and Greater Impact on Children
– by Charlotte Thaarup
Founder and Director, The Mindfulness Clinic
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.
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As an early childhood educator, you hold a pivotal role in the lives of the children you care for. To them, you are one of the most important people in their world. Your words, actions, and presence shape the voices they internalize as adults, influencing their development and future. The way you show up every day matters profoundly—it plays a significant part in shaping the next generation.
Mindful Caring offers valuable insights, tools, and techniques to help you thrive both professionally and personally. By fostering mindfulness, it empowers you to maintain a high level of mental well-being, navigate stress, and create positive, lasting impacts on the children you nurture.
Themes of the Presentation:
- Recognizing your importance in children’s lives
- Understanding and managing stress
- Addressing the unique challenges of living in 2025
- Exploring mindfulness and its neuroscience
- Practical tools, habits, and techniques for daily life
- Steps to begin your mindfulness journey
“Trauma-Informed Strategies Supporting Both Children & Educators”
– by Sarah Forgan
Consultant, Berry Street
Sarah has worked both in Australia and abroad, as a classroom teacher, an educational advisor and most recently as a student and staff wellbeing leader in Sydney. Her early experience in communities and social justice is now woven through an intricate understanding of curriculum design and focused under an umbrella of trauma-informed teaching, positive education, and wellbeing practices. As a Berry Street Consultant, she is excited to be part of a team that values and promotes the philosophies which have driven her career.
In this keynote, Sarah will explore trauma-informed strategies and routines that will support and nurture both children and their educators. Click the button below to learn more.
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Working with young children is deeply rewarding—but also emotionally demanding. Early years educators must be aware of the detrimental impacts of vicarious and secondary stress exposure along with possible impacts of compassion fatigue when working with children and families made vulnerable by trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
In this keynote, Sarah Forgan will share novel findings and strategies emerging from Berry Street’s early years research and practice. The evidence suggests that for early childhood educators, self-care alone is not enough to sustain professional wellbeing. Sarah will explore trauma-informed strategies and routines that will support and nurture both children and their educators. This dual-purpose pedagogy can support children’s healthy learning and play while creating a culture of wellbeing to fortify staff provision of high-quality care to buffer professional burnout.
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!