By Helena Adeloju
This year’s Kinders Together annual forum focused on childhood trauma.
More than 150 participants gathered in the function rooms at Pakenham Racecourse to learn about supporting children and their families in times of trauma.
Kinders Together CEO Roger Chao said this year’s topic was thoughtfully chosen.
“Numerous studies demonstrate that despite the hardship, suffering or trauma children may face, if a child has a positive attachment to education this can go some way towards mitigating the impacts these events have on their future,” he said.
“The role early childhood educators can play in reducing, mitigating and overcoming the impact of trauma on children cannot be understated.”
Participants also learned about self-care and why resilience is imperative to being an early childhood educator.
“For educators to best support the families and children in our services, they need to be supported themselves and unless they practice self-care, educators run the risk of burning out,” Mr Chao said.
Throughout the 23 March event educators learnt how to create calmer classrooms and protect themselves against children who demonstrate unsafe behaviour.
Key speakers at the forum also included Leonie Abbott from the Berry Street Institute, psychologist Dr Lyn O’Grady, and clinical psychologist Dr Martina Waring.
