The Showcase aims to inspire professional growth and elevate quality standards by highlighting practices within the ACT education and care profession. Through this initiative, we celebrate the dedication and innovation of educators and leaders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett will give the Keynote presentation:

“Children’s behaviour – it’s more than just managing …”

The term “behaviour management” has historically been used when discussing the

need to support or respond to challenging behaviours. Managing children’s behaviour not only places the problem with the child it also suggests an underlying power dynamic that can lead to frustration and an escalation in behaviours overtime. Within this presentation we shift our focus from the behaviour or the child to thinking more about the underlying meaning or function of the behaviour as well as the potential impact or challenge this poses for both the child as well as those impacted by the behaviour.

This presentation is designed to empower teachers and educators to recognize the key determinants of children's behaviours, to critically reflect upon existing program strengths and to identify potentialities for growth and development. Together we will explore links between self-regulation and behaviour, how brain development gives rise to self-regulatory challenge, and the ways we can foster self-regulatory skills in young children through everyday experiences.

Professor Neilsen-Hewett's Biography:

Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett is the Academic Director of the Early Years, University of Wollongong, is a member of the National Early Childhood Development Council and sits on both government and non-government advisory committees and boards in Australia and internationally. She has demonstrated leadership and scholarship in translational research with a strong track record in developing and delivering professional learning initiatives across the early childhood education sector. She has co-led numerous large-scale research projects, has authored and co-authored academic papers and been recognised for her expertise in children’s behaviour, self-regulation, early childhood pedagogy and workforce development.