Yeah Baby! is a specialist conference concerned with the education and care of our infants from birth to three years of age. This one-day conference runs from 9am-3pm on a Saturday and includes trade fair, and great seminar and workshops style presentations. The format for the day ensures delegates will return to their early childhood settings affirmed and inspired with up-to-date research as well as practical advice, guidance and solutions all relevant to work and play with children under 3. New information is shared each year and each programme varies according to region.

Hosted by Flinders University Childcare Centre

9am-10.30am: Toni & Robin Christie - Respectful people, places, and things

The New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki, refers to “people, places and things” as the learning context for young children. How do people show respect for children and their families? What kind of places are respectful spaces for children? What things are available to children within the environment, where have they come from, and who made them? How do they demonstrate respect for diversity, culture and the child? This opening address will inspire participants with practical ideas, and prompt us to examine our own ideas about what respect looks and feels like for our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

10.30-11am: morning tea

11.30am-12.30pm: Toni Christie - Toddlers: A taxonomy of needs and rights

What do our precious toddlers need? What rights do we empower them to exercise?

When we understand the specific development, needs, and rights of these unique little humans, we can support them in their quest to better understand the world around them. Toni Christie will share research and practical examples of supporting toddlers’ needs for safety, relationships, boundaries, conflict, and resilience. She will also explore their rights to power, autonomy, nature, play and to be understood by the excellent role-models who care for and educate them with love.

12.30-1.15pm: lunch and a chance to check out the trade fair

1.15-2.45pm: Robin Christie - Inspirational not Institutional: Contemporary Approaches to ECE Design
Our infant and toddler ECE spaces are a home-away-from-home for a large part of many children’s lives. How do we use the physical environment to create an atmosphere where both adults and children feel welcomed, safe, and willing to step out of their comfort zone to try something new? This presentation will explore simple, real-world, cost-effective ideas celebrating the feeling of ‘homeliness’ in our ECE spaces.

2.45 pm: Bonus Centre tour of Flinders University Childcare Centre for all delegates

General admission price: $330

Subscriber's price: $290

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