FAMILY WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

  • Practical, everyday strategies for behaviour, toileting, fussy eating and more
  • Presenters include popular early childhood experts
  • For parents and carers of children 0-5

SUPPORTIVE WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON
EVERYDAY STRATEGIES

Parenting comes with big questions, busy days and moments where you just want a little reassurance. Gowrie NSW’s Family Workshops are a free series of practical, supportive sessions designed to help parents and carers feel more confident in everyday family life. Each workshop offers practical tips and everyday strategies for parents, grounded in early childhood expertise and real-world experience. From sleep and emotions to play, learning and connection, these sessions support you to understand your child, respond with confidence and nurture their development at home.
 
Each session is led by early childhood experts who understand the challenges and joys of the early years.  Funded through the NSW Government’s Start Strong Pathways program, these workshops aim to strengthen your understanding of how children learn, grow and engage with the world around them. 
Sessions are completely free and open to everyone – invite friends, family or carers to join too!

FREE PARENT WORKSHOPS

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Supporting Creative Play at Home: Helping babies and toddlers explore and play independently

Feb 17, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 

Do you ever wish your baby or toddler could play safely and independently for longer, while you keep up with the everyday tasks of family life? Creating the right play environment can make a real difference.

This workshop supports families to understand how simple, safe and accessible play spaces encourage active, engaged play for infants and toddlers. You’ll explore the types of everyday resources that support curiosity, movement and exploration, without the need for expensive toys or complicated setups.

The session shares practical ideas for setting up engaging home environments that support physical development and allow your child’s interests and learning to unfold naturally over time. You’ll leave with realistic strategies that support your child’s play, while giving you the space and confidence to manage the busy rhythms of home life.

 
 Presenter:  Dr Katherine Bussey, Infant and Toddler Specialist

 

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Responding to Tantrums and Meltdowns

March 24, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 

Parenting can feel overwhelming when your child’s emotions run high. This workshop will give you practical strategies to respond to tantrums and meltdowns with confidence, while keeping your relationship strong and your household calm.

 
Presenter: Dr Anna Banas, Early Childhood Education Consultant

 

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Keeping Children Safe - What Every Parent Needs to Know

April 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm

 

In this 90-minute online workshop, you’ll gain practical tools and confidence to keep your child safe without creating fear.

This is a conversation no parent wants to have, but every parent needs. Join Kristi McVee, a former Detective and Specialist Child Interviewer, for an honest and empowering session on protecting children from sexual abuse and grooming.

 
Presenter: Kristi McVee

 

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Fussy Eaters - Practical Strategies for 1-3 year olds

May 13, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 
Get ready to tackle picky eating habits with practical tips and tricks for making mealtimes positive!
 

We know how stressful mealtimes can be. In In this session, dietitian and media nutritionist Alex Parker from The Biting Truth will give you evidence-based strategies that actually work in real homes – without pressure or perfection.

Presenter: Alex Parker, The Biting Truth

 

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Supporting Healthy Sleep - Practical Strategies to encourage calm, consistent routines

June 10, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 

Sleep can feel like one of the most challenging parts of early childhood. This workshop supports parents to better understand their child’s sleep needs and build calm, realistic routines that work for their family.

 
Presenter: Pam Linke, Social Worker and Early Childhood Specialist

 

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Strengthening Your Child's Connection and Security- Practical tips and everyday strategies for parents

July 9, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 

This workshop supports parents to better understand their child’s emotional world and the behaviours that sit beneath it. Grounded in the Circle of Security approach, the session focuses on building strong, secure relationships that help children feel safe, confident and supported.

You’ll explore how to recognise your child’s emotional needs and attachment behaviours, respond to their cues with consistency and sensitivity, and support emotional regulation during big feelings or challenging moments. The session also looks at how secure, trusting relationships nurture confidence, resilience and wellbeing, both now and as children grow.

Practical, reflective and reassuring, this workshop offers strategies you can use straight away in everyday family life.

Presenter: Wai Ling Ho, Early Childhood Teacher and Circle of Security Facilitator

 

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Responsive Parenting in Everyday Life - Understanding and Supporting Children's Emotions

August 5, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 

Do you ever find yourself wondering what your child is really trying to tell you through their behaviour, or feeling unsure how to respond in the moment? Responsive parenting is about tuning in to your child’s needs and responding in ways that help them feel safe, understood and supported.

This workshop shares practical strategies to recognise your child’s cues, respond calmly during big feelings, and create a nurturing, predictable home environment. You’ll also explore how small changes in everyday interactions can strengthen connection, build confidence, and support emotional regulation.

Responsive parenting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, attuned and supportive, helping both you and your child feel more confident and connected.

 
Presenter: Dr Anna Banas

 

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Supporting Toilet Training as a Learning Journey - Practical strategies for parents

September 1, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 

Are you feeling unsure about when to start toileting, or worried it’s turning into a daily struggle? Many families find this stage stressful, especially when progress feels rushed or becomes a power battle.

This workshop invites parents to step away from the idea of “toilet training” and instead see toileting as a shared learning journey. You’ll explore how to recognise signs of readiness, involve your child in age-appropriate ways, and support toileting without pressure or conflict.

The session shares practical strategies to work alongside your child, create a supportive environment, and build confidence over time. You’ll leave feeling calmer, better informed and more confident in supporting your child’s independence at their own pace

 
Presenter: Dr Katherine Bussey

 

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Supporting Shared Reading for Babies and Toddlers at Home - Make Storytime Engaging and Meaningful

October 20, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 

Have you ever wondered if you’re reading “the right way”, or what your child is really getting out of storytime? Many parents want to support early learning through books but feel unsure where to start or how to keep young children engaged.

This workshop helps families build confidence in shared reading with babies and toddlers. You’ll explore how shared reading supports language, connection and learning, how to choose picture books that suit your child’s age and interests, and simple ways to make storytime playful and interactive.

With practical ideas you can use straight away, this session supports parents to turn reading together into a relaxed, enjoyable part of everyday family life.

 
Presenter: Wilma Murdoch, Early Childhood Teacher with over 30 years of experience working with children and families across diverse service types in Australia and overseas.

 

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Separation and Goodbyes - helping your child feel secure when saying goodbye

November 18, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 

Saying goodbye each day can be challenging for children and parents. Join expert Elena Marouchos in this online session to explore practical strategies for creating a positive daily ritual.

The workshop will touch on separation anxiety, helping parents understand their child's emotions, and share tips to make departures calm, consistent and reassuring.

 
Presenter: Elena Marouchos, Early Childhood Education Expert

 

TOILETING, BEHAVIOUR, FUSSY EATING, TANTRUMS, SLEEP AND MORE

Ten sessions to help you support, understand, manage and grow in confidence as a parent.
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