Early Years Wellbeing Pathway
Wings To Fly
Wings to Fly™ is the Pathways to Resilience flagship program which has Australian Institute of Family Studies endorsement as an evidence-based practice. This two-day (12 hour) workshop supports early years educators to develop the knowledge and skills they need to deliver Wings to Fly™, a social and emotional wellbeing program for children from birth to six years old. Participants will engage in critical conversations and experiential content that explore current research in neuroscience, developmental and cognitive psychology, and attachment theory to reflect upon their practice. The focus will be upon building a way of working that supports a child’s capacity to do well.
Wings to Fly™ is included on the Victorian Government’s School Readiness Funding Menu of Evidence-Informed Programs and Supports.
We currently hold a Credit Articulation Arrangement at Griffith University for completion of the Wings to Fly Program-10 Credit Point Level 1 Free Choice Elective credit transfer awarded towards Bachelor of Child Youth and Family Practices. Granted by Griffith University on 23 April 2023.
Kindy Uplift Funding can be utilised for this program. NESA Accredited. Accredited evidence-based program for Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Coaching and Mentoring available
Alongside participation in a Wellbeing Pathway, early years centres, schools and organisations are able to engage the Pathways team as coaches and mentors. As you put the knowledge, strategies and tools we have shared into practice, we provide ongoing support in the form of observation, modelling and reflective conversation.
Neuroscience for Educators
In this workshop, Playworkers and educators will be introduced to key neuroscience concepts and explore practical applications for playwork environments which support student wellbeing, build resilience, and help to create a positive learning environment. Throughout the workshop, participants will reflect on their own practice, considering the impact of the school outdoor play environment and their own interactions and communication on students’ developing brains.
Rethinking Challenging Behaviour
Problematic behaviour can impact upon a child’s capacity to do well. These workshops will explore how we can rethink challenging behaviour, and how our response as educators can help a child build an ability to regulate and respond differently.
Participants will engage in guided reflection regarding attitudes and beliefs around behaviour and intention, and discover ways in which the early years educator can reach the struggling child.
Building Foundations: The Neuro Formative Years
Care and education for children under the age of three is significantly different to previous generations; societal change has created a rapid shift towards the shared care between home and out of home settings. In this workshop, educators will explore the needs and development of infants and toddlers, and will gain an understanding of current research in neuroscience and developmental psychology. They will reflect on current practices and identify changes that might be made in order to support young children in care at this most influential time of brain development.
Trauma and Attachment
In this two-hour workshop, educators will gain a deeper understanding of the brain state associated with trauma, the impact of implicit memory on the ability of these children to feel safe, and adaptive behaviours that may present themselves in a school setting. Participants will be provided with strategies that can help to bring balance and safety to the experience of children who have been impacted by trauma or disrupted attachment and enable them to move from survival to learning.
Please note: All two-hour workshops require An Introduction to Neuroscience for Educators to be attended as a prerequisite.
Building Resilience in Families
This two-hour workshop provides educators with a tool kit of strategies to share with families that support and strengthen the resilience of children. Participants will gain knowledge about the types of communication and interactions which build perseverance and flexibility, and learn how to support children in developing an awareness of their emotions and responses.
Please note: All two-hour workshops require An Introduction to Neuroscience for Educators to be attended as a prerequisite.
An Introduction to Mindfulness
This two-hour experiential workshop provides participants with tools and strategies to regulate themselves, increase their self-awareness and respond mindfully to daily challenges. Educators will gain an understanding of the ways in which a personal mindfulness practice can promote resilience and wellbeing, and help to build a positive learning environment. They will also explore ways to bring mindfulness into their daily lives.
Please note: All two-hour workshops require An Introduction to Neuroscience for Educators to be attended as a prerequisite.
Coregulation: Thinking Beyond Self Care
This two-hour interactive workshop explores the ways in which stress can impact brain function. Participants engage with reflective tools that enable them to develop both an awareness of the messages their body is communicating, and the impact of their thoughts and emotions on their wellbeing. They step through a number of processes, creative and cognitive, that can increase their capacity to regulate during stressful experiences, and explore short and long-term self-care strategies.
Please note: All two-hour workshops require An Introduction to Neuroscience for Educators to be attended as a prerequisite.
The following workshops are bespoke to context developed with the needs of your organisation and educators.
Tiny Brain Talks
KO the Crocodile and friends will introduce kindergarten children to foundational understandings of feelings and emotions through fun and interactive songs, stories and help them embed calming strategies into their everyday play.
Connecting with Nature
This workshop is a gentle reminder to all of us to get out into natural spaces and recognises that nature has many gifts to offer, to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the benefits of connecting to our fascinating world.
H.I.-Tech - Healthy Interactions with Technology
This two hour session will introduce the key components of neuroscience and explore the impact of technology on children’s emotional and social wellbeing. The session will introduce strategies that support children with healthy interactions with technology.
Co-Creating H.O.P.E
(Healthy Opportunities Playful Environments)
This program makes the geographies of childhood and the environments in which children live learn and play; and their impact on learning and wellbeing. Participants will explore the opportunities of built and natural environments, the intentionality of co-creating studios and the luminous possibilities of non-places and loose parts on children’s wellbeing.
In this workshop, educators and playworkers will be introduced to key neuroscience concepts and explore practical applications for building environments which support children’s wellbeing, build resilience, and help to create a positive learning environment. Throughout the workshop, participants will reflect on their own practice, considering the impact of the play environment and their own interactions and communication on children' s developing brains.
The EYLF & QKCG include place-based and relational pedagogies, learning environment and playful practices and how co-creating HOPE can the principles of collaborative leadership and team building with children
Discovery Baskets
The program will introduce the notions of sensorial pedagogy and support educators in understanding how to provide loose-parts play for very young children. This program is designed to support children’s curiosity, creativity and exploration using natural materials.
Mindful Movements
Muscles and movement play a vital role in children’s social and emotional wellbeing. This session will explore current research on how movement play integrates the brain and body of very young children, the benefits of movement play for children and a range of neuro responsive movement strategies that can be used in everyday practice.