Full LPBD program revealed as Educator Month ticket offer gives teams more reason to head to Darwin

The full program for Child Australia’s 2026 Little People, Big Dreams Conference is now live, revealing a broad line-up of professional learning spanning Aboriginal pedagogy, play, neurodiversity and inclusion, leadership and child safety.

Early Childhood Education and Care professionals considering a trip to Darwin for this year’s Little People, Big Dreams (LPBD) Conference can now explore the complete program, with Child Australia revealing the breakout sessions that will complement the event’s keynote presentations.

Held on Saturday 17 October at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade, Darwin, the conference will bring educators, academics, policy makers and communities together under the theme Growing Ideas That Matter: Empowering Voices, Shaping Practice.

The full conference program brings the event’s five central themes into focus: embedding Aboriginal pedagogy in practice, the power of play, embracing neurodiversity and inclusion, leading with purpose and safety in every moment.

Breakout program puts ideas into practice

Alongside the keynote program, delegates will be able to select from concurrent sessions designed to explore practical approaches that can be taken back to early learning and outside school hours care settings.

The breakout program extends across five rooms, with sessions examining topics including play and playwork culture, neurodiversity, temperament, child safety, leadership and the role of curiosity in creating safer learning environments.

Among the sessions, Dr Siobhan Kennedy-Costantini from Science Minded Child Development will explore temperament and neurodiversity in early childhood, helping educators consider the relationship between individual children and the environments around them.

Safe4Kids Managing Director Holly-ann Martin OAM will turn the focus to child safety, exploring practical strategies educators can use to embed protective education into everyday routines.

Leadership will also feature strongly. Catholic Education Northern Territory’s Katie Jayne O’Brien and Sarah Davis will examine experimental leadership and collective joy, while The Outsiders Play Advocates’ Angus Gorrie will explore how a clearly articulated service purpose can strengthen play and playwork culture.

Other sessions will consider puppetry as a trauma-informed and culturally responsive pedagogical tool, curiosity as a foundation for safer and more connected learning environments, and the role of community partnerships.

Together, the sessions give delegates scope to build a program around the areas most relevant to their role, service and professional learning priorities.

Jessica Staines masterclass extends the learning

For educators looking to deepen their professional learning, the LPBD experience will begin on Friday with a dedicated masterclass led by Koori Curriculum founder Jessica Staines.

The 8 Ways of Learning masterclass will support participants to explore Aboriginal pedagogy through a practical framework for programming and planning.

Participants will work collaboratively around a shared topic of enquiry, considering how approaches including story sharing, non-linear learning, community links and land-based learning can inform curriculum decision making.

Rather than stopping at awareness, the session has been designed to support practical application. Participants will work towards developing a program plan using the 8 Ways of learning, while building understanding of each pedagogy in context and exploring ways to strengthen connections with community and Country.

The masterclass is suitable both for educators new to the Aboriginal Pedagogy's framework 8 Ways of learning and those seeking to deepen their existing practice.

Educator Month offer supports teams to attend together

With tickets still available, Child Australia offers an Educators’ Day promotion to recognise educators for a whole month throughout September.

Under the buy two, get one free offer, services purchasing two eligible registrations can receive a third ticket at no additional cost, providing an opportunity for teams to attend and engage in the professional learning together.

The offer applies to standard and combined registrations, with further information available through Child Australia’s tickets and deals page.

Conference tickets include access to keynote presentations, concurrent sessions and workshops, along with catering, entry to The Market Place exhibition and the networking Sundowner. Delegates can also receive a certificate of attendance that can contribute towards continuing professional development requirements.

With the complete program now available, services can review the sessions, identify professional learning priorities and plan how different team members could make the most of the concurrent program.

The Little People, Big Dreams Conference will be held on Saturday 17 October 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade, Darwin.

Explore the full conference program, view the breakout speakers and sessions, learn more about the Jessica Staines masterclass or see the latest ticket offers.