Yeah Baby!

Programme:

9-10.30 The relationship is everything – Toni Christie

Children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people places and things (Te Whāriki, 2017, p. 21).

We become who we are through our relationships with others. Therefore, it follows that in order to build a society of people who are capable, competent and behave with kindness and empathy towards each other, our focus must first be on the quality of the relationships and initial attachments infants have with the significant adults in their lives.

This presentation will unpack concepts such as key caregiving, continuity, the interbrain, self-regulation, the triune brain, developmental domains, the danger of deterministic thinking, co-regulation and teacher wellbeing.

10.30-11 morning kai break

11-12.30 Understanding toddler behaviour – Ali Porteous

Ka whāngaia, ka tupu, ka puawai.

That which is nurtured blossoms and grows.

Toddlers are all things wonderful; busy, tenacious, energetic, active, curious, impulsive, joyful and so much more! Toddlerhood can be a frustrating time for both tamariki and the adults who care for them. Given labels such as the ‘terrible twos’, this is certainly a time of rapid growth for children physically, cognitively and socially. So how do we deal with the inevitable undesirable behaviours that arise when we group toddlers together?

This presentation will give you the opportunity to understand the neuroscience behind children’s behaviour and how to practically deal with conflict in a way that both uplifts and supports children, allowing them to empathise with others and foster positive peer interactions.

12.30-1.15 kai

1.15-2.45 Respectful Spaces – A Showcase – Robin Christie

As our understanding of the incredible importance of the first thousand days of life has developed, so too has our understanding of the unique needs of the physical environment of our infant and toddler ECE spaces. No longer simply watered-down versions of spaces designed for older children, or squeezed into a tiny room down the back like an afterthought, modern nurseries are warm, welcoming spaces where our youngest citizens show themselves to be amazingly competent and capable. As someone who has witnessed this transition over more than twenty-five years in the profession, Robin is excited to share a showcase of ideas that reflect this change of approach. From stand-up nappy change tables to crawl-in sandpits, from outdoor sleep spaces to mezzanine floors, this presentation will be a wide-ranging celebration of respectful infant and toddler environments in ECE.

Cost: $180 per person (includes morning tea and a light lunch)