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.

Programme:

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

People, places and things are the learning context for young children. How do people show respect for infants and toddlers? What kind of play spaces are respectful spaces for them? What are the things available to children within the environment and how do they demonstrate respect for the child and the environment? This opening address will offer inspiration for making improvements and ensuring the people, places and things in your setting are the very best for the health and wellbeing of children, educators, and families.

10.30-11: morning tea

11am-12.30pm: Chelle Duncan and Caitlin Mulroyan - What is the unspoken dialogue within Infants’ encounters?

When exploring Inquiry learning with Infants and toddlers, often educators are challenged by the non-verbal communication aspect. As a team we want to uncover the silent conversations occurring between Infants and the world around them. Infants are born curious and full of wonder, ready to discover the world through rich relationships. Children encounter people, places, and things daily; and we wonder what unspoken language we are missing within these encounters? Infants are powerful communicators, it is us adults who need to be more attuned to the many ways infants express their wants, needs and ideas.

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.

General admission price: $240

Space mag subscriber's price: $220

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