New evidence-based program 

A framework for understanding and responding to behaviours that challenge 

Created and facilitated by child development expert Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett, Academic Director of the Early Years, University of Wollongong. 

We recognise the significant rise in the number of children with behaviours that educators and teachers find challenging. Building the skills to manage these big behaviours not only enhances outcomes for children but also supports the well-being of teachers and educators.

CELA CEO Michele Carnegie

CELA's support line receives calls on this topic daily. In response, we're offering this evidence-based training program, led by a highly respected expert in the field. This training is designed to equip you with essential skills and ongoing support to work effectively with both children and their families.

➡️  Choose from 2-day face to face or 4-part live online masterclass program.    

• Follow-up support included in package.  
• Spaces are limited to optimise engagement. 
• Team ticket + recordings available with online program. 

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM READ ABOUT FRAMEWORK

To be effective and ensure each child can reach their potential, early childhood professionals need to clearly understand what drives children’s behaviour. This interactive professional development program, created and facilitated by child development expert Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett, will empower you with an evidence-informed framework to help you navigate behaviours that challenge.

Unpacking the 6Rs framework

Participants will complete the program equipped with a comprehensive set of strategies and tools. These tools are designed to help you understand and respond to children’s intentions and behaviours 'in the moment', as well as to foster their self-regulatory capacity across various learning contexts. 

After the training, you will have access to a live Q&A session to help you implement the program effectively in your service. Attendees will be emailed an invitation to this session in late October. This provides an opportunity for valuable peer-to-peer connections, both within and beyond your service.

As the Director of two pre-schools, I was motivated to engage with this professional learning because of the unique and challenging environment we work in. Many of our children come from very disadvantaged backgrounds and have experienced significant trauma. Our classrooms are complex, with a range of differing abilities and behaviours that can be quite extreme and confronting for both the children and our educators. I would highly recommend this training to others as it provides clarity, strategies, and hope—not just for supporting the children, but for supporting the educators as well.

Debbie S, Preschool and Children's Services Director, NSW

Who should attend? 

Any early childhood professional who: 

• Recognises that they need to know more about understanding and supporting children's behaviour.
• Wants to expand their skills and toolkit around supporting challenging behaviours, including knowing what to do and how to approach situations 'in the moment'.
• Wants to feel more empowered in their practice and approach when engaging children and their development and improve your personal wellbeing.

More about the 6R framework 

Effective support is informed by a comprehensive understanding of children’s needs, the origins or routes behind children’s behaviour, and the practices and pedagogies needed to create responsive environments. 

The benefit of the 6R Framework is in the way it encourages us to consider the uniqueness and complexity of children’s behaviour, and to move away from the common misconception which typically positions the behaviour (or the child) as the problem to a perspective which instead asks – what happened to this child and how can I support them to reach their full potential? 

The 6R framework is not prescriptive but is designed to empower teachers and educators to recognise the key determinants of children’s behaviours, to critically reflect upon existing program strengths and potentialities for growth and development, and to use this framework to create individualised and responsive approaches to supporting children. 

As educational professionals we have the power and potential to create positive environment that support children to flourish.

IMPORTANT: This training will provide you with the essential tools to effectively manage situations 'in the moment,' helping you support a child while also considering the well-being of other children and educators who are in the room.

The effectiveness of this framework of practice relies on adults:  

• holding high expectations for every child 
• understanding the factors underpinning children’s behaviour 
• prioritising respectful relationships and responsive engagement 
• creating an environment that both acknowledges and embraces equity and diversity 
• prioritising the use of assessment for learning and development 
• adopting an integrated and holistic approach to teaching and learning.

We highly recommend that as many members of your team attend this professional development as possible. That is why we are offering team packages that include recordings.  

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM