Increasing your expertise

For early education teachers, caring for the under twos isn’t as simple or as easy as outsiders might think.

A strong knowledge base of issues for this age group is essential along with knowing how to put this information into practice.

It is critical to know what attachment is (and isn’t) and how you can weave this understanding into practice.

Lauren Porter from the Centre for Attachment will discuss why and how the relationship a young child makes with his/her teacher can be instrumental in charting a positive course for life.

Practical applications of the latest research to the early childhood setting and how practice changes can help reduce stress for children will be covered.

Dr Sarah Farquhar from the Early Childhood Council will then take seminar participants through the steps to providing a service that is breastfeeding friendly.

Not providing breastfeeding support could prove costly to the centre’s reputation, with babies who are more likely to get sick, parents who feel they can not communicate honestly with teachers, and reduced cognitive benefits for infants.

The seminar will conclude with discussion of the primary role of the infant/toddler teacher as nurturer and advocate of the child.

The seminar will be interactive, with participants invited to ask questions as they wish and engage in discussion with the presenters.

Seminars are : 10.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. in the following locations:

Wellington, 25th March; Auckland, 26th March; and Christchurch, 27th March.

For more information go to www.ecc.org.nz/events/