This program will explore the interconnected nature of children’s trauma, behaviour and development. Narrative reflections will provide continuity between sessions, which will include a mix of theory with creative practices to learn, experiment with and fine-tune your techniques, tools and strategies to develop your own unique trauma responsive pedagogy toolkits. This program includes 4 professional learning sessions. After each session there will be a 2-hour mentoring session where a Gowrie SA trauma facilitator will work with room teams/leaders to ensure connection of theory-to-practice and to build your capacity to support children to optimise your preschool program engagement to best progress your development. For more information on the program, visit: https://gowriesa.org.au/preschool-boost/understanding-childhood-trauma-and-behaviour-educator-upskilling

Expected outcomes for this program are:

• integration of play based learning to enhance communication
• ability to understand and regulate their own emotions
• ability to model and teach emotional regulation strategies
• ability to manage emotional conflicts.

This program is delivered in-person and includes 4 x 3-hour sessions and 4 x 2-hour mentoring sessions to connect to practice. The 4 sessions of professional learning, including:

• Session 1 - The Uniqueness of Childhood Trauma: safety, relationships, and brain development.
• Session 2 - Seeing the Child: Past experiences, present behaviours, complex needs.
• Session 3 - Responsive pedagogies for promoting safe and joyful engagement.
• Session 4 - Trauma and Child Rights: Children's Voices 'taking flight'.

This program is delivered for $2,200. Travel will be charged per facilitator for $100 per hour (where the round trip is up to 20km), $100 per 1.5-hours (where the round trip is up to 40km) and $100 for 3-hours (where the round trip is up to 70km).