Professional Development

Explore the difference between co-regulation and self-regulation in early childhood. Learn how educators and caregivers can model and provide co-regulation, support children in developing self-regulation skills, and view behaviour as a form of communication. This session also shares practical, evidence-informed strategies to guide children through emotional challenges.  

Key points:

• • The role of co-regulation vs. self-regulation in early childhood

  • How behaviour communicates underlying needs

• Practical strategies to support emotional challenges

• Building skills for long-term self-regulation

• Delivery format:

  • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

  • Printed workbook

  • Certificate of completion

From an occupational therapy perspective, dysregulated behaviours are not “problems to fix” but messages to understand. This training explores the root causes of behaviours, such as sensory needs, unmet needs, or emotional triggers, and equips educators and caregivers with strategies to respond in ways that build safety and trust. By recognising behaviour as communication and building strong relationships, educators and caregivers can create environments that reduce challenges and promote emotional wellbeing.  

Key points:

• • • Understanding behaviour through an therapeutic lens

    • Identifying root causes: sensory, emotional, and unmet needs

    • Behaviour as a form of communication

    • Building trust and emotional safety to reduce challenges

• Delivery format:

  • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

    • Printed workbook

    • Certificate of completion

This training introduces educators and caregivers to the occupational therapy perspective on sensory processing and its impact on children’s regulation, emotional wellbeing, and motor development. Participants will learn how to identify sensory differences in children and explore practical ways to create sensory-friendly learning environments and experiences in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings.  

Key points:

• • • • Understanding sensory processing and its role in child development

      • How sensory differences affect regulation and motor skills

      • Recognising sensory differences in children

      • Designing sensory-friendly learning environments in ECEC settings

• Delivery format:

  • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

      • Printed workbook

      • Certificate of completion

Play is a child’s primary occupation.  This training highlights the vital role of play in children’s development. Through an occupational therapy lens, participants will explore how child-led play fosters emotional, cognitive, and social growth. The session also covers how to follow a child’s lead, design intentional play experiences, and scaffold activities to meet individual differences and needs.  

Key points:

• • • • • Understanding stages of play development

        • The power of child-led play in learning and connection

        • Creating intentional play opportunities

        • Scaffolding play to support individual differences

• Delivery format:

  • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

        • Printed workbook

        • Certificate of completion

Strong social connections are the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. This training unpacks the stages of social development in young children and provides practical strategies to nurture positive interactions. Educators and caregivers will explore ways to support turn-taking, sharing, and peer relationships, while also helping children navigate friendships and resolve conflict through play-based experiences.

Key points:

• • • • • • Understanding stages of social development in early childhood

          • Supporting turn-taking, sharing, and peer interactions

          • Guiding children in friendship skills and conflict resolution

          • Using play to build social-emotional learning

• Delivery format:

  • • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

          • Printed workbook

          • Certificate of completion

Movement is at the heart of learning and independence. This training explores key milestones in motor development and highlights how fine and gross motor skills support school readiness, play, and everyday self-care. Educators and caregivers will gain practical strategies to embed motor-based learning into preschool routines and environments

Key points:

Understanding milestones in motor development

How motor skills influence school readiness, play, and self-care

Practical ways to embed motor-based learning in preschool settings

• Delivery format:

  • • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

          • Printed workbook

          • Certificate of completion

Sleep plays a vital role in children’s development, behaviour, and learning. This training helps educators and caregivers understand the impact of healthy sleep routines and how to support children through nap transitions in early childhood settings. Practical strategies are shared for creating consistent, calming routines around naps and bedtime to promote regulation and wellbeing.

Key points:

• The impact of sleep on development, behaviour, and learning

• Supporting healthy nap transitions in early childhood

• Practical strategies for consistent nap and bedtime routines

• Delivery format:

  • • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

          • Printed workbook

          • Certificate of completion

Toilet training is a significant milestone in a child’s development. This training equips educators and caregivers to recognise readiness signs in young children and support successful toilet training both in early childhood settings and at home. Practical strategies and resources are provided to help overcome common challenges with confidence and consistency.

Key points:

• • Recognising signs of toilet readiness in young children

  • Supporting successful toilet training in ECEC settings and at home

  • Practical strategies and resources to address common challenges

• Delivery format:

  • • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

          • Printed workbook

          • Certificate of completion

Mealtimes are an important part of a child’s development, connection, and daily rhythm. This training explores how sensory processing and developmental factors can influence eating, including supporting children who show a preference for selective or “safe” foods. Educators and caregivers will learn practical strategies to create positive eating experiences in both group settings and at home, while encouraging healthy mealtime routines that reduce pressure and promote confidence.

Key points:

• • • Understanding mealtime development and sensory influences on eating

    • Supporting children with selective eating or preferences for “safe foods”

    • Practical strategies for positive mealtime experiences in group and home environments

    • Encouraging healthy routines without pressure

• Delivery format:

  • • • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

            • Printed workbook

            • Certificate of completion

Starting school is a big milestone, and strong foundations make all the difference. This training explores the key skills children need for a successful transition, including independence in self-care and self-regulation. Educators and parents will gain practical, play-based strategies to support skill development and confidence as children prepare for the school environment.

Key points:

• • • • Key foundational skills for a smooth transition to school

      • Building self-care independence and self-regulation

      • Play-based strategies to support skill development at home and in preschool

• Delivery format:

  • • • • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

              • Printed workbook

              • Certificate of completion

Every child experiences and engages with the world in their own way. This training introduces the concept of neurodiversity and highlights why neurodiversity affirming approaches matter in early childhood settings. Participants will learn how to recognise and celebrate individual strengths and preferences, and explore practical strategies for creating inclusive, strengths-based environments where every child can thrive.

Key points:

• • • • • Understanding neurodiversity and the importance of neurodiversity affirming practice

        • Recognising and supporting individual strengths and preferences

        • Practical strategies for inclusive, strengths-based preschool environments

• Delivery format:

  • • • • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

              • Printed workbook

              • Certificate of completion

The spaces children learn and play in have a powerful impact on their growth and regulation. This training introduces the Person–Environment–Occupation (PEO) model, helping educators understand how to design sensory-friendly, regulation-supportive environments. Participants will also explore how to adapt and grade tasks to foster independence, building children’s autonomy in daily routines without removing valuable challenges.

Key points:

• • • • • • How environmental factors shape learning and regulation

          • Using the PEO model to create supportive, sensory-friendly spaces

          • Adapting and grading tasks to encourage independence

          • Strategies to support autonomy while keeping meaningful challenges

• Delivery format:

  • • • • • • • • In-person or online (1.5 hours)

                • Printed workbook

                • Certificate of completion