VEYLDF Alignment
Item uses these practice principles: Respectful relationships, Assessment for learning and development, Integrated teaching and learning approaches, Partnerships with professionals.
Item responds to these sub-outcomes: Children become
strong in their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, Children interact
verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes.
Description
Up Therapy: Laying the Foundations for Educators (previously titled 'Laying the Foundations') is an online, self-paced training course for early childhood educators developed by a team of occupational therapists and speech pathologists. It consists of seven 15-20 minute modules that aim to build the capacity of early childhood professionals to develop the foundational skills needed for children's engagement and participation. These skills include language and communication, sensory processing, social-emotional, behaviour and play.
The course provides practical strategies and resources that educators can implement in their daily practice. It upskills educators to support all children develop essential skills needed to engage independently in an early education setting.
The course modules are:
1. Building a Relationship
2. Sensory Processing
3. Joint Attention
4. Language and Communication
5. Visuals
6. Behaviour
7. The Importance of Play
Additional consultation support is available for participants, including individualised discussion of course content, to support learning and implementation.
Detailed Costs
Price per unit for individual access: $169 (incl. GST)
Group bookings of 15 or more participants receive a 10% discount.
Additional consultation support (optional): $380 per hour (incl. of GST). This includes non-face-to-face support such as preparation of consultation/case studies.
Implementation Considerations
Target population: early childhood professionals and parents/carers of children aged 2-6 years old.
Program/practice descriptions and details: The total course length is approximately 2 hours, with an additional 30 minutes required to complete the recommended activities. Participants are given 6 months to access the course from date of purchase.
Program adaptability: the course can be conducted by individuals or in groups. It is accessed online and completed in a self-paced capacity.
Supervision/Coaching: additional consultation support is available via Zoom or similar platforms to provide individualised support for discussion of course content in greater detail. Topics for discussion include: the service or home environment and how to utilise the space effectively, resources to support children’s engagement, participation and learning, how resources can be used most effectively, and case studies to allow participants to practise applying the strategies covered in the training.
Tools and systems: the use of the internet and electronic devices are required to access the website and course.
Priority Area
Communication (language development), Wellbeing (social and emotional)
Strength of Evidence
Level 4 - Emerging research evidence