Conference Day: Understanding Trauma
and Attachment in Children

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Knowledge of attachment theory and the impact of trauma on children’s learning and growth will inform the work of educators in children’s services. In this session, psychologist Helen Lenga will discuss these theories and present case studies to illustrate examples. Group discussions will be offered so participants can review children with whom they work and explore management strategies.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Outline of attachment theory
• The effects of trauma on children and connection with attachment theory
• Framework for practical application in work

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Understand the impact of trauma on children and how this can be exhibited in their learning and growth
• Understand and apply attachment theory to work with children, families and/or services
• Create strategies to practically apply knowledge of trauma and attachment theory to work with services, children and families

 

Psychologist Helen Lenga has over thirty years experience working in the field of trauma and has specialist training with children and families. She currently works at the Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC) as a Clinical Educator Coordinator. 

Venue: Wheelchair Accessible Venue TBA
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Cost: $99

 

 

A Taste of China - Cooks Session

Wednesday 2 June 2010

China is widely renowned for its tremendous range of food, variety of its cooking methods and flavours as well as its attention to texture and colour. This cooking session will provide participants with an overview of some Chinese social customs. They will also have the opportunity to cook Chinese recipes and share information with a panel of bilingual workers.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Understanding the importance of food as a social ritual in cultures
• Sourcing culturally diverse recipes and creating some tasty nutritious
  Chinese meals

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Explore diverse cultural needs and expectations of families regarding meals for children
• Prepare and cook a diverse range of Chinese meals
• Network and share ideas with other professionals

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8
• FDCQA 1, 2, 3 & 4
• OSHCQA 1, 2, 5, 6 & 7

 

Venue: FKA Children’s Services, 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 2:00-4:30pm
Cost: $25

 

 

The Games We Play

Games are a part of all cultures and often stem from deep traditional values, practices and religious beliefs. Utilising games that are familiar to families from diverse backgrounds provides services with opportunities to embrace children’s sense of belonging and identity. In this fun and interactive session, staff will discover how to incorporate diverse games within their program.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Value of providing diverse games in children’s services to assist in reflecting children’s backgrounds and cultural identity
• Collaboration with children and their families to ensure games are
  culturally relevant
• Culturally responsive games and practical activities to use with children

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Understand the importance of including games in children’s programs that reflect cultural backgrounds of children and families
• Collaborate with families to source relevant games for use within the children’s program
• Share resources and ideas to develop strategies to incorporate culturally responsive games

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 2, 4 & 5
• FDCQA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
• OSHCQA 1, 2, 4, 5 & 7

 

Tuesday 8 June 2010
Venue: Coburg Concert Hall, 90 Bell Street, Coburg
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25 

Wednesday 9 June 2010
Venue: Melton Community Hall, 232 High Street, Melton
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25

Friday 11 June 2010
Venue: FKA Children’s Services, 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Cost:$25

Wednesday 16 June 2010
Venue: Knox Community Arts Centre, Corner Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road, Bayswater
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25

Tuesday 22 June 2010
Venue: Kingston Arts Centre, 979 Nepean Highway, Moorabin
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25

 

 

Inviting Play

Wednesday 2 June 2010

This hands on session focuses on creating culturally inclusive play spaces. It explores the value of natural and recycled materials, and allows the participants to create their own play experiences using a range of cost effective resources.

Topics to be Covered

 

• The value of open ended, culturally inclusive and flexible play spaces
• The value of natural and recycled materials

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Gain experience in creating and using inclusive open ended play spaces for children within their services
• Access a range of resource ideas, using natural and recycled materials

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 3 & 7
• FDCQA 2, 3 & 5
• OSHCQA 1, 4, 5 & 8

 

Venue: Geelong TBA
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost: $25

 

 

Peace in Play: Actively Promoting Peace in Children's Services

Friday 11 June 2010

Children’s services have opportunities to powerfully reflect ideas of peace within their programs. This session will define peace education, describe the concepts of equity and equality and how these may be implemented in a service. It will draw on Early Childhood Australia’s “Code of Ethics” as well as the Convention for the Rights of the Child. An important session for all teachers developing programs for children.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Defining equity, equality and peace education
• Ethical responsibilities and power to affect change for the future
• Dealing with social justice issues - moving from avoiding to acknowledging

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Act on their ethical responsibility to promote peace in children’s services
• Engage in critical thinking when considering concepts of equity, equality and peace education
• Develop a range of strategies to stimulate positive attitudes towards peace education in their services

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7
• FDCQA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
• OSHCQA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8

 

Venue: FKA Children’s Services, 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: $25

 

 

Supportive Environments for Children Learning English as a Second Language

Thursday 17 June 2010

This session will discuss the importance of main-taining a child’s first language, and outline the different stages of acquiring English as a Second Language (ESL). Participants will investigate strategies that will enhance culturally and linguistically diverse environments to support children learning ESL.

Topics to be Covered

 

• The importance of maintaining a child’s first language
• Stages of acquisition of English as a Second Language
• Strategies that will support cultural and linguistic diverse environments

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Understand the importance of maintaining a child’s first Language
• Have a greater understanding about learning English as a second language
• Provide supportive environments that support communication and
  ESL learning

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 3, 4 & 7
• FDCQA 3 & 5
• OSHCQA 1, 2, 4, 5 & 8

 

Venue: FKA Children’s Services, 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost: $25

 

 

Applying Trauma and Attachment Theories when Supporting Educators - ISF/PSFO

Wednesday 23 June 2010

Children’s learning and growth can be adversely affected through trauma and attachment experiences. In this session, ISFs/PSFOs will explore how they can support educators to create positive learning environments for these children by applying the framework discussed in the session ‘Understanding Trauma and Attachment in Children’. Recommended reading material will be available on our website.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Review the relationship between trauma and attachment to the learning and growth of children
• Applications of this knowledge when supporting services working with
  these children
• Communicating these theories to services and staff

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Review trauma and attachment theories as they relate directly to the work
  of a consultant
• Understand how to develop and apply strategies within a support group
  of colleagues
• Transfer the knowledge gained into real scenarios shared by colleagues and provided examples

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7
• FDCQA 1, 2, 3 & 4
• OSHCQA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7

 

Venue: FKA Children’s Services, *(Ground Floor), 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: $25

*Wheelchair Accessible