Safety in focus: LPBD Conference sessions explore neuroscience, cyber identity and trauma-informed practice

This year’s Little People, Big Dreams (LPBD) Conference features a powerful suite of sessions addressing digital safety, trauma-informed practice and emotional wellbeing, helping early years professionals navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.

 

As early childhood educators and leaders gather in Darwin on Saturday 11 October, safety in all its dimensions will take centre stage across multiple rooms and speaker sessions at the 2025 LPBD Conference.

 

With young children growing up in increasingly complex digital and emotional environments, the ability to safeguard wellbeing while supporting connection has never been more important. These sessions offer timely insights into how the sector can embed safety across pedagogy, relationships and everyday practice.

 

Navigating the digital age: understanding the impact on young brains

 

In Children in the Digital Age: The Neuroscience of Seeing Ourselves and Every Child, Professor Selena Bartlett from Queensland University of Technology explores how hyperconnected environments affect children’s developing brains.

 

Drawing on neuroscience and practical application, this interactive session supports educators to understand the emotional toll of digital overload and how to nurture focus, resilience and calm. Educators will gain tools to support healthy digital habits and strong emotional regulation from the earliest years.

 

Protecting digital identity through pedagogical leadership

 

In Child Safety in the Cyber Playground: Pedagogical Responsiveness to Safeguard Children’s Digital Identity, Nicole Talarico of Talarico Consulting unpacks emerging online risks from exclusion and trolling to doxing and self-generated content.

 

While regulatory frameworks are in place, Nicole highlights that authentic protection begins with prevention led by educators through responsive, inclusive practice. The session equips attendees with practical tools to support children and lead digital safety conversations with families and colleagues.

 

Trauma-informed strategies that centre safety and resilience

 

From Berry Street Education Model, Sarah Forgan presents Implementing trauma-informed early years strategies, a practical and grounded exploration of sustainable, emotionally safe approaches to trauma-aware practice.

 

Focusing on workforce wellbeing and pedagogical consistency, Sarah offers strategies that educators can embed into planning, team discussions and daily routines ensuring safety and resilience are central to every child’s experience.

 

Broader perspectives: exploring practice, play and pedagogy

 

Vanessa Burton and Jarrah Aleman-Abellana, will explore inclusive practice through sensory play, demonstrating how thoughtfully designed environments can engage all children, particularly those with additional needs, through hands-on, meaningful learning.

 

Reframing understanding through First Nations ways of knowing

 

In Changing the Narrative: What Educators Can Learn from First Nations Ways of Knowing, Indigenous Engagement Consultant and social activist Nicole Brown will lead an honest and impactful discussion on cultural connection and engagement.

 

A proud First Nations leader and passionate advocate for strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Nicole invites educators to bring their questions, curiosities and challenges to the session. Attendees are encouraged to contribute in advance to help shape a meaningful, responsive conversation, nothing is off limits.

 

Nicole’s session will explore how educators can move beyond tokenism to embed genuine, culturally grounded practice that honours the voices, histories and knowledge of First Nations peoples.

 

Embracing neuro-affirming practice through divergent play

 

In Supporting Divergent Play and Socialisation Using a Neuro-affirming Approach, presenters Gee Van der Watt and Leanne Crawford of Neurominded explore the foundations of inclusive, child-led play in early childhood settings.

 

Play is a cornerstone of learning in the early years, but not all children engage in play in the same way. This session delves into the developmental diversity of play, with a focus on supporting children who are neurodivergent, have experienced trauma, or display signs of developmental delay.

 

Educators will gain insights into how these factors can influence play behaviours and peer interaction, and how to recognise and respond to different play styles and social preferences. The session offers practical, neuro-affirming strategies to extend children’s play skills and foster authentic, inclusive social connections.

 

With a deeper understanding of divergent play and development, participants will leave with greater confidence to create environments where every child can engage meaningfully in play-based learning.

 

Elsewhere in the program, Bec Warr and Connie Borg will be introducing the Adult Behaviours Traffic Light framework, a practical tool designed to help staff identify and respond to adult behaviours that may be inappropriate, boundary-blurring, or unsafe. The framework clearly categorises behaviours into green (safe and professional), amber (concerning or boundary-testing), and red (harmful or high-risk), giving teams a simple and shared language to address issues. By making it easier to recognise early warning signs, the framework empowers staff to speak up confidently and take timely action when something doesn’t feel right.

 

Book now and be part of the conversation.

 

Tickets for the Little People, Big Dreams Conference are on sale now. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from nationally recognised speakers, connect with sector peers, and take home practical strategies that support high-quality, inclusive practice.

 

Secure your place and view the full program at:
childaustralia.org.au/conference-awards/little-people-big-dream-conference