Educator Essentials: new Queensland resources support positive behaviour guidance in early learning

Creating learning environments where children feel safe, respected and supported is central to high-quality early childhood education and care. To help educators strengthen this aspect of practice, the Queensland Department of Education has released Educator Essentials—Positive Behaviour Strategies, a new video series offering practical, evidence-informed guidance for educators working with children aged three to five years.

Designed for both new and experienced educators, the free resources focus on positive behaviour guidance that respects children's rights, dignity and agency, while supporting educators to respond in ways that build relationships, emotional regulation and long-term learning.

The Educator Essentials series forms part of Queensland's broader collection of teaching and learning resources and provides practical examples that educators can incorporate into their daily interactions with children.

Across the series, educators explore strategies including:

• using positive, strengths-based language
• supporting children's emotional regulation
• guiding behaviour through connection rather than control
• recognising and respecting family and cultural perspectives
• responding calmly, consistently and intentionally.

The Department has designed the resources to complement existing curriculum and quality frameworks, with the accompanying guidance highlighting links to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) V2.0, the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline (QKLG) 2024, and the National Quality Standard (NQS).

Alongside the videos, educators can access an Educator Essentials videos fact sheet, which expands on the strategies presented throughout the series and provides practical tips for embedding them into everyday practice.

The fact sheet also encourages educators to reflect on questions such as:

• What strategies have you already tried?
• Which approaches have been most effective in your context?

These reflective prompts are intended to support ongoing professional learning and help teams develop consistent approaches to positive behaviour guidance across their service.

The Department also highlights the importance of collaboration when supporting children's behaviour, encouraging educators to engage in professional conversations with:

• parents and carers
• fellow educators
• educational leaders
• Elders and Traditional Custodians.

Additional support is available through the Kindergarten Inclusion Service, which provides resources and guidance to help educators create inclusive learning environments for children with additional support needs.

For services seeking more intensive professional learning, the Queensland Government also funds the Positive Behaviour Guidance Coaching Program, delivered through eight sector organisations.

The program provides specialist coaching, practical resources and professional support to regulated early childhood services, helping educators strengthen positive behaviour guidance and embed child-centred, inclusive practices across their service.

The release complements Queensland's wider suite of professional learning resources, including materials on educator wellbeing, age-appropriate pedagogies, sleep practices, supported playgroups and transition to school.

As expectations around child wellbeing, inclusion and quality practice continue to evolve, resources such as Educator Essentials provide another practical tool to help educators build confidence, strengthen reflective practice and support positive outcomes for children.

Access the Educator Essentials - Positive Behaviour Strategies here.