Resilient children, connected brains: Professional learning that makes a difference

As a gesture of appreciation for early childhood educators across the country, the Fraser Foundation, supported by Preschool Equipment, is offering two free, high-impact webinars this September. Featuring two of the most respected and engaging voices in child development, Maggie Dent and Nathan Wallis, these sessions are a celebration of the profound role early childhood professionals play in shaping young lives.

Held in recognition of Early Childhood Educators Day, the webinars are more than a thank you, they’re an invitation to invest in your own growth, share knowledge within your team, and strengthen the learning cultures within early learning services and communities.

High-quality professional development is a cornerstone of continuous improvement in early childhood education and care (ECEC). When educators expand their knowledge and strengthen their practice, the benefits flow directly to children, families and the wider community.

The professional development offers practical, evidence-informed strategies that can be embedded into everyday practice, used to guide team discussions, and integrated into Quality Improvement Plans (QIP) and communities of practice.

Two powerful sessions, one meaningful thank you

• Maggie Dent: Building Children’s Resilience – 10 Resilience Building Blocks
  Maggie Dent brings a practical and deeply human approach to fostering resilience in children. With her framework of 10 building blocks, educators will walk away with tools to support children’s emotional, social and cognitive growth through everyday interactions and intentional teaching.

• Nathan Wallis: The Developing Brain – The Big Picture
  In this engaging session, neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis will explore how the brain develops from early childhood into adulthood. Educators will learn how brain development affects behaviour, communication and learning and how to use that understanding to create deeper connections with children and support their development effectively..

The insights gained from these webinars can be a catalyst for collaborative reflection and service-wide development. Educators are encouraged to:

• Initiate or strengthen a community of practice within their service, using the webinar topics as discussion starters in staff meetings or professional learning sessions.
• Share key learnings with families, translating concepts from the sessions into newsletters, family workshops or casual conversations that build trust and extend learning into the home.
• Integrate new knowledge into their QIP, demonstrating how ongoing professional development supports continuous improvement, strengthens relationships, and enhances outcomes for children.
• Inspire new ideas for programming and curriculum planning that reflect a deeper understanding of child development, resilience and brain-based learning.

This professional development is an investment in educators, but they’re also a powerful reminder that valuing the profession means providing access to high-quality, relevant learning opportunities. When educators are supported to grow, the ripple effects are significant: stronger relationships, more responsive practice, and richer learning experiences for children.

Whether you’re an emerging educator or a seasoned leader, attending these webinars is a simple, impactful way to refresh your thinking, reconnect with your purpose, and bring new energy back to your team and community.

The Fraser Foundation’s initiative is a timely and heartfelt thank you to those who give so much every day. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and, in doing so, invest in every child you support. 

Register here for Building Children’s Resilience – 10 Resilience Building Blocks – Tuesday 9 September, 2025

Register here for The Developing Brain – The Big Picture – Thursday 4 September, 2025