Online course
Unlocking Wellbeing in Early Childhood
Teaching strategies for supporting holistic development. Create a thriving environment where every child's wellbeing can grow.
The course
Are you passionate about nurturing young minds?
This course equips educators, caregivers and parents with the tools to create an environment where children grow emotionally, cognitively, socially and physically.
You'll explore teaching techniques built around nine core skills of lifelong wellbeing, and learn to design experiences that build self-esteem, problem-solving, empathy and resilience. Each module bridges theory and practice, with age-appropriate strategies that spark curiosity and lifelong learning, and guidance on inclusive, culturally responsive environments.
Build your professional learning and leave a lasting impression on the children you teach and care for.
Enrol today
- 11 modules, 59 lessons and 11 teaching videos
- Reflection worksheets, guiding questions and an evaluation for every core skill
- Activity cards, wall posters and picture book lists
- 7 planning matrices with over 300 teaching and learning opportunities
- Certificate of completion
Already enrolled? Log in to the course.
Sound familiar?
Three challenges this course solves
No consistent way to look at wellbeing
It's hard to identify children's diverse wellbeing needs in a consistent, thorough way. The course gives you a clear framework built on nine core life skills, so planning, programming and support all speak the same language.
Knowing what to actually do
The field is vast. You'll get evidence-based strategies for each core skill, from nurturing empathy to cultivating self-regulation and gratitude, with hands-on activities you can use straight away.
Getting everyone on the same page
Supporting wellbeing takes teachers, educators and families working together. The course gives you shared language, checkpoints and strategies for communicating about each child's growth.
What's inside
Eleven modules, nine core skills
Each core skill module follows the same six steps: the teaching video, making the skill visible, exploring it, putting it into action, reflecting in the play space, and evaluation and feedback.
- 13 lessons
Introduction
Welcome, the core skills overview, and creative and critical thinking through ways of knowing and S.T.R.E.A.M.
- 26 lessons
Gratitude
Noticing, taking in and giving back the good.
- 36 lessons
Persistence
Helping children keep going when things get tricky.
- 46 lessons
Agency
Children making choices and shaping their world.
- 56 lessons
Empathy
Understanding and responding to how others feel.
- 66 lessons
Relational Security
Safe, trusting relationships as the base for learning.
- 76 lessons
Reciprocal Play
The give and take of playing together.
- 86 lessons
Agility
Flexible thinking and adapting to change.
- 96 lessons
Challenges
Solving problems and taking healthy risks.
- 106 lessons
Self Regulation
Managing big feelings, attention and impulses.
- 112 lessons
Congratulations and a sneaky gift
A master play matrix and seven planning matrices for wellbeing planning and programming.
Who it's for
- Teachers and educators passionate about building wellbeing in children's lives
- Educational leaders who want a shared framework for their team
- Parents who want to nurture wellbeing at home
What's possible
- A deeper understanding of holistic development and a toolbox of strategies across all areas of growth
- Engaging experiences that build self-esteem, problem-solving, empathy and wellbeing
- A lasting, positive impact on the children you teach and care for
What educators say
From Rod's professional development sessions
Thank you so much again for offering the session. I got so much out of it and have already started making changes as a result. Rod is amazing!
Service Educational Leader
The way he speaks about his work and about children's wellbeing is truly inspirational. He guided us through effective strategies and provided us with so many resources. I left the session feeling completely inspired, motivated and capable to make changes in our service.
Service Director
Your presenter
Rod Soper
Rod has been a teacher, leader and researcher for 30 years. He leads Thinkers.inq, an early childhood school pioneering 21st-century teaching and learning through play and wellbeing, and is the primary investigator for the Playing with Gratitude Research Project.
He works alongside school and early years leadership teams and families every day, exploring and leading thinking around wellbeing.
Questions
Who is this course for?
Educators, teachers, caregivers and parents who work with young children and want to learn more about promoting their mental and emotional wellbeing.
How long do I have to complete it?
The modules are available for 12 months from the date you enrol, and you can work at your own pace.
When can I start?
As soon as you like. You'll get your access code straight after enrolling.
Can my whole team use one enrolment?
Each enrolment is for one person, with a personalised certificate. For team access, get in touch about a group price.
Is there extra support?
You can join the private course Facebook group, and book additional one-on-one coaching with Rod.