Practical professional development for early childhood educators, primary school teachers and learning support staff.
Children’s behaviour doesn’t always tell the whole story.
A child who struggles to follow instructions, becomes overwhelmed by everyday routines or frequently challenges boundaries may be experiencing difficulties that aren’t immediately obvious.
Anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect how children respond to their environment, interact with others and engage in learning.
Join experienced clinical psychologist Heather Irvine-Rundle for a practical professional development workshop exploring how these conditions can present in children aged 3 to 11, and strategies educators can use to respond to their behavioural and emotional needs.
What you will learn
This workshop will help you better understand the factors that can influence children’s behaviour, emotional regulation and engagement in learning.
You’ll explore:
- Recognising the signs: Understand how anxiety, ADHD, ODD and PTSD may affect children’s behaviour, emotional regulation, relationships and learning.
- Looking beyond challenging behaviour: Explore what may contribute to behaviours such as avoidance, withdrawal, impulsivity, emotional outbursts and difficulty following instructions.
- Understanding overlapping symptoms: Learn why different conditions can present in similar ways and why individualised approaches matter.
- Responding to challenging situations: Explore practical approaches to reducing conflict, responding to emotional escalation and supporting children through difficult moments.
- Supporting emotional regulation: Discover strategies to help children recognise and manage emotions, develop coping skills and participate more confidently in everyday activities and learning.
- Knowing when to seek additional support: Understand how to identify and document concerns, recognise the boundaries of an educator’s role and determine when further guidance or professional support may be appropriate.
- Working together to support children: Explore ways to communicate with families, colleagues and health professionals to develop consistent, informed approaches that support children’s individual needs.
- Throughout the workshop, Heather will draw on practical examples to connect clinical knowledge with the everyday challenges educators encounter.
Throughout the session, Heather will draw on practical examples to connect clinical knowledge with the everyday challenges educators encounter.
Putting knowledge into practice
Supporting children with complex behavioural and emotional needs can be challenging, particularly when the reasons behind their behaviour aren’t clear.
Heather Irvine-Rundle will explore how anxiety, ADHD, ODD and PTSD can influence children’s behaviour and learning, while providing practical approaches educators can consider in their own settings.
Rather than focusing solely on managing challenging behaviour, the workshop encourages educators to consider what children may be communicating through their actions and how different responses can influence their wellbeing, relationships and participation.
Participants will have opportunities to reflect on their experiences, ask questions and consider how the information applies to the children they work with.
Who should attend?
This professional development workshop is designed for people working with children aged 3–11, including:
- Early childhood educators and teachers.
- Primary school teachers.
- School leaders and principals.
- Learning support and student wellbeing staff.
- Outside school hours care (OSHC) educators and coordinators.
- School counsellors and other education professionals.
Whether you’re an experienced educator or looking to build your knowledge of children’s mental health and behaviour, this workshop offers insights relevant to early childhood education, primary classrooms and OSHC settings.
Details
Date: Friday 26 February 2027.
Time: 9:30am to 2pm (AEDT).
Location: Club Macquarie, 458 Lake Rd, Argenton NSW 2284
Speaker: Heather Irvine-Rundle, senior clinical psychologist and director of The READ Clinic.
Ticket price: $285 per person (including GST).
Booking form: Download the booking form
Purchase tickets: Purchase tickets
If you would like to purchase your ticket via bank transfer, please email (info@committedtochildcareconferences.com) the team and we will send you our banking details.
Professional accreditation
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
This presentation meets the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers:
- Standard 1 – Know students and how they learn.
- Standard 4 – Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments.
- Standard 6 – Engage in professional learning.
About the speaker
Heather Irvine-Rundle
Senior clinical psychologist, Conjoint Professor of Practice, School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle and director of The READ Clinic
Heather is a senior clinical psychologist and the director of The Read Clinic, which is one of the largest psychology practises in Australia. As well as practising in Australia, Heather has also spent three years in the UK working with some of the most deprived families in Liverpool and London. She also led a service providing advice and consultations on mental health to all the schools in the South London area.
As well as practicing for over two decades Heather has also found time to become a published author with her latest book Hello Baby. Heather speaks regularly on local ABC radio, has appeared on a number of television shows including 60 Minutes, and writes regular articles for print and digital media.
In 2019, Heather was appointed as Conjoint Professor of Practice in the School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle, NSW.
Registration policy
Read our registration policy.