NOWRA Regional: Supporting Behaviours that Challenge

This workshop equips educators with practical, science-informed strategies to respond to behaviours that challenge in early childhood settings. Grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory, and the principles of trauma-informed practice, this session reframes "challenging behaviour" as a form of communication-calling for connection, safety, understanding and support to learn

Explore how neuroscience and attachment theory inform strategies for supporting children’s self-regulation, supported by calm adults, predictable and consistent routines and environments.
Explore how relational practices and co-regulation support children to feel safe, connected, and ready to learn—shifting the focus from managing behaviour to building lifelong skills in self-regulation, empathy, and states for learning.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Explore brain states to understand what behaviour is communicating
  • Create emotionally safe environments that reduce behavioural escalation.
  • Recognise the role of predictability, consistency, and a calm adult presence.
  • Develop trauma-sensitive practices that support all children to feel secure.
  • Use relational practices that foster trust, belonging, and connection.
  • Understand the role of co-regulation: calm, connected adults support calm, connected children.
  • Support children to return to a calm state where learning is possible.
  • Implement conscious strategies for calming, grounding, and engaging children.
  • Shift from managing behaviour to building skills in self-regulation, empathy, and problem-solving

 

Recommended Audience: Early Childhood Educators, Leaders, and Inclusion Support Staff. This is aimed at whole teams to ensure consistent practice and approaches.

    • $180

    • Date

      Thu 5 March
      6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

    • Location

      Nowra

    • 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.