Book early to avoid disappointment

19 August 2022
8am - 4pm

NEW VENUE:
Uni Hill Conference Center
30 Graduate Rd, Bundoora

Registration $275

Members Discounted Tickets Available

Registration Type	Valid Until	Cost
Students	5 August
Late Registration	6-12 August
Standard Registration	5 August
Members Registration	5 August
Early Bird Members	CLOSED

This is a major event for early educators, particularly for those located in Melbourne’s north. This annual conference is a “not-to-be-missed” event.

With very engaging, expert keynote presentations and break-out workshops. Also we will host the annual trade exhibition and opportunities for networking.

View Program

AMKeynote

Morning Keynote

The relationship is everything
presenter Toni Christie

We become who we are through our relationships with others. Therefore, it follows that in order to build a society of people who are capable, competent and behave with kindness and empathy towards each other, our focus must first be on the quality of the relationships and initial attachments young children have with the significant adults in their lives.

This presentation will unpack concepts such as key caregiving, continuity, the interbrain, self-regulation through co-regulation, the triune brain, developmental domains, and the danger of deterministic thinking.

This year the conference again offers invaluable practical workshops

Workshops

Workshop 1

Indigenous Storytelling Through Art & Indigenous Infusion

Indigenous Storytelling through Art – Indigenous Storytelling through art is a practical workshop where the presenter will invite you to learn indigenous art symbols for man, woman, child the land and numerous animals. The presenter creates a story using the symbols and explains how to interpret it to the students. The cultural experience represents Australian Indigenous Art in a fun and unique way.

Indigenous Infusion – Indigenous infusion is the perfect introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. You will develop an understanding of the rich and ancient traditions of Australia’s first inhabitants. This program will explore different cultural aspects such as dance, didgeridoo and Indigenous artefacts.

Presented by Uncle Paul and Aunty Gabby

Workshop 2

Aboriginal Culture

This resource-rich, interactive ‘show and tell’ program is a great introduction to Aboriginal culture. A highly engaging presentation and discussion of traditional bush food, hunting tools, musical instruments, arts and crafts. Includes hands on experience – animal skins, possum skin ball, emu eggs, boomerangs, emu caller, baskets and necklaces. Important concepts like Women's and Men's Business are explained. Includes an interactive Q&A session, where educators can ask questions.

Ganga Giriand Wurundjeri Elder (co-founder of Didgeridoo Australia and key performer & educator)

Workshop 3

Aboriginal Rock Art

Afternoon Keynote

Afternoon Keynote

Risk, resilience, and loose parts play

presenter Robin Christie

Adult-supported and developmentally appropriate risky play is vital to children's physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. Research from NZ, Australia, and across the globe points to the long-term benefits, especially in the development of children’s resilience, the ability to ‘bounce back’ from negative experiences (Sandseter, 2006, 2007; Stephenson, 2006; Gill, 2007; Kvalnes, 2017).

Loose parts play involves open-ended and easily manipulated materials that children can use to construct, deconstruct and transport to develop their working theories of the physical world, and to augment their social and imaginative play. Since Simon Nicholson (1971) first formally described this natural aspect of children's play, the ways in which we interpret loose parts play have widened considerably. Contemporary views shown in recent research perceive it as being completely without boundaries, and as mixing easily with other kinds of learning (Hewes, 2006; Neill, 2013).

This keynote presentation will examine practical instances of loose parts play using materials that are recovered, upcycled and drawn from nature. A special emphasis will be placed on loose parts play provisions that provide for adult-supported risky play, are environmentally responsible, encourage cooperation and problem-solving, and are cheap as chips!