Empowering Children Through Character Strengths (2-part series)

This series offers educators an opportunity to broaden their understanding of character strengths and practical tools to spot and support children’s strengths in everyday routines and relationships. Participants will explore how a strengths-based lens can foster identity, wellbeing, and resilience in children, while also positively influencing educator-child interactions and overall classroom culture.

This series introduces early childhood educators to the VIA Character Strengths framework with a central focus on recognising and nurturing the emerging strengths of young children. 

 

Session 1:

Exploring Character Strengths: Empowering Educators and Children

This session explores the 24 VIA Character Strengths and how educators can model and mirror these strengths to positively influence children’s development.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the VIA Character Strengths framework and its application in early learning settings
  • Reflect on how their own strengths shape their interactions and teaching practice

 

Session 2:

Spotting and Embedding Strengths: Building Positive Partnerships in Early Childhood

This session equips educators to identify and affirm children’s strengths through everyday interactions, embed strengths-based approaches into routines and learning, and foster positive, strengths-focused communication with families.

Learning Outcomes

  • Confidently identify and affirm strengths in children to support wellbeing, belonging, and positive behaviour
  • Use strengths-based language and strategies to build resilience and promote social-emotional growth
  • Foster a strengths-focused culture that supports children's identity and learning across the service

 

 

Recommended Audience: Early childhood educators, Leaders, and Teams who want to deepen their capacity to nurture children’s strengths, support wellbeing, and build positive, resilient learning environments grounded in positive psychology principles

    • $250

    • Date

      Wed 22 April – Wed 29 April
      • Session 1
        22 April 2026
        6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
      • Session 2
        29 April 2026
        6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

    • Location

      Online via Zoom

    • Presented by

      • Jo Maloney
    Register

About the presenters

  • JO MALONEY UPDATED
    Jo Maloney

    Jo Maloney is an experienced consultant, speaker, trainer, coach, and author of Wellbeing Science in Early Childhood Education – How to Create Positive Change. With over 30 years in the early childhood sector, Jo empowers leaders, educators, and teams to create thriving environments using evidence-based approaches rooted in positive psychology, neuroscience, and attachment theory. Her work emphasises building strong, connected communities through practical strategies in organisational culture, social-emotional learning, mindfulness, strengths, and trauma-informed practices.

    Holding a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology, a Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, and a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood), Jo blends academic expertise with hands-on experience. She is deeply passionate about equipping educators with the tools to foster wellbeing, strengthen relationships, and cultivate positive change. Through her trauma-informed and practical approach, she helps educators embrace conscious, meaningful practices that enhance the lives of children, families, and teams.