Belonging from the Beginning is written from a theoretical underpinning reflecting contemporary ideas, research, and literature from the field of psychology and early childhood education. The program unpacks the latest knowledge from the fields of psychology and neuroscience to explore practical implications for early years educators. 

As educators engage with the key concepts and they relate to their own contexts, they are empowered with skills and understanding to support children’s social and emotional learning and cultivate a culture of inclusion and accessibility. 

Educators explore six topics together with Dr Louise Porter and Sandi Phoenix in a series of online webinars. 

Supporting workbooks and downloadable chapters are designed to promote ongoing reflection and planning for action in each priority area.

Chapter 1 - Big Feelings: Emotional development in the early years

Chapter 2 - Strong Foundations: Brain development in the early years

Chapter 3 - Connection Seeking: Meeting children’s need for connection

Chapter 4 - Behaviour that Challenges Me: Understanding children’s behaviour in the early years

Chapter 5 - It Takes a Village: Families and communities working together moving forward

Chapter 6 - You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup: Looking after your wellbeing first

Bonus Chapter - Talking the Walk: Creating a meaningful behaviour guidance policy

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome

    2. Acknowledgement to Country

    3. Platform walk through video

    4. Agreement

    5. About your facilitators

    6. Overview of the Understanding and supporting children's behaviour online program

    1. Part 1 - Overview

    2. Chapter 1 - Downloadable Resource

    3. Workbook - Children's Emotional Development

    4. Part 2 - Big Feelings

    5. Activity: What are your greatest needs?

    6. Activity: How can we support children to fill their Safety Cup?

    7. Activity: How can we support children to fill their Freedom Cup?

    8. Activity: How can we support children to fill their Connection Cup?

    9. Activity: How can we support children to fill their Fun Cup?

    10. Activity: How can we support children to fill their Mastery Cup?

    11. Part 3 - Big Feelings

    12. Question and Answer Discussion

    1. Workbook - Children's Brain Development

    2. Chapter 2 - Downloadable Resource

    3. Part 1 - Play and the Brain

    4. Part 2 - Types of Trauma

    5. Part 3 - Types of Attention

    6. Part 4 - Neurodiversity

    7. Part 5 - Advanced Development

    8. Question and Answer Discussion

    1. Workbook - Connections with Children

    2. Chapter 3 - Downloadable resource

    3. Part 1 - Attachment Theory

    4. Activity: Reframe a common negative interaction using the 'Say what you see, Ask a question' strategy...

    5. Part 2 - Connection Seeking

    6. Activity: What resources and play spaces have you noticed invite social imaginative play?

    7. Part 3 - Peer to Peer

    8. Part 4 - Children's Social Skills

    9. Question and Answer Discussion

    1. Workbook - Supporting a Child's Behaviour

    2. Chapter 4 - Downloadable Resource

    3. Part 1 - Controlling vs Guiding

    4. Activity: Translate praise

    5. Part 2 - Core Values

    6. Part 3 - Program Adjustments

    7. Part 4A - Meeting Needs

    8. Cup filling plans for children

    9. Part 4B - Filling Cups

    10. Part 5 - Rewards and Punishments

    11. Part 6 - Interventions

    12. Part 7 - Meltdowns

    13. Question and Answer Discussion

    1. Workbook - Working Together

    2. Chapter 5 - Downloadable resource

    3. Part 1 - Interactions

    4. Part 2 - Communication Skills

    5. Part 3 - Discussion Tools

    6. Part 4 - Collaboration

    7. Part 5 - Solution Focus

    8. Part 6 - Multicultural Competence

    9. Question and Answer Discussion

About this course

  • 63 lessons
  • Access for 12 months
  • 6 videos + 1 bonus

Your Facilitators

PhD, MA(Hons), MGiftedEd, DipEd, BA, BIntStuds Child Psychologist Dr Louise Porter

Dr Louise Porter, PhD, MA(Hons), MGiftedEd, DipEd, BA, BIntStuds, Child Psychologist is passionate about safeguarding children’s self-esteem, promoting their social skills, and supporting their resilience in the face of the challenges that life often raises. Louise advocates for teaching children to behave considerately, being mindful of how their behaviour affects others, rather than what consequences it may earn them. She has taught at university, conducted a private practice for 30 years, and worked in both mainstream and disability agencies and schools. She is an outstanding author of some of the best texts in the world on the topic of guidance. Louise is a popular speaker throughout Australia and internationally.

Principal Facilitator Sandi Phoenix

Sandi is the founding company director and principal facilitator at Phoenix Support for Educators. Her framework, The Phoenix Cups, have revolutionised how education & care professionals and parents, understand the behaviour of, and proactively plan for, the wellbeing of children and young people. She is highly regarded as an international speaker, coach, mentor, and professional development facilitator.

FAQ

  • How long do I have access to the course?

    You will have 1 year to complete this course.

  • Where will I find the webinar link?

    There are instructions for each webinar inside this course.

  • Will the webinars be recorded?

    Yes! These webinars will be recorded and uploaded to the course under each topic. Access to the recordings will be one week after each live date. To view the recordings simply log into the course, scroll down to the chapter and select the recorded webinar course.

  • How do I get my certificate?

    To receive your certificate, you must click on 'Complete & Continue' on every page of the course. Once you've done this your certificate download button should come up in the top left corner of your course, where the progress bar is.