Wellbeing in changing times

The Victorian Department of Education and Training and Early Childhood Australia invite you to a series of free webinars for Victorian educators focussed on educator wellbeing. These webinars have been designed for all teachers and educators working with young children, at any stage of their career. We welcome you to join us for one, two or all three sessions as we explore the evidence behind positive psychology and its impacts on educator wellbeing.

Session One Wellbeing and Positive Psychology – How the research can help you
An introduction to the positive psychology research and strategies to support educator self-care and wellbeing.  Join your host Catharine Hydon in conversation with Dr Narelle Lemon on Monday, 22 June from 3.30 pm–4.30 pm AEST.

Session Two Flourishing Futures – Why wellbeing science is essential for educators in the early years
Understanding the mechanics of wellbeing can help educators take care of themselves and improve their practice.  Join Catharine Hydon in conversation with Lisa Baker on Wednesday, July 15 from 3.30 pm–4.30 pm AEST.

Session Three Wellbeing in Action – How does it really work?
Wellbeing is about understanding and reflection but it’s also about action.  Catharine Hydon, Dr Narelle Lemon and Lisa Baker delve deeper into constructs of positive psychology and wellbeing for early years teachers and educators.  Join the panel as they respond to your comments, questions and concerns on Thursday, 30 July from 3.30 pm–4.30 pm AEST.

 

To read more about the presenters click here. To view the recordings of previous sessions click here. If you have any questions, please contact events@earlychildhood.org.au.

Event Name Dates Time
Wellbeing and Positive Psychology – How the research can help you Monday 22 June 2020 3.30 pm–4.30 pm AEST
Flourishing Futures – Why wellbeing science is essential for educators in the early years Wednesday 15 July 2020 3.30 pm–4.30 pm AEST
Wellbeing in Action – How does it really work? Thursday 30 July 2020 3.30 pm–4.30 pm AEST

Speakers

Catharine Hydon

Catharine Hydon

Catharine Hydon is the Director and Principal Consultant at Hydon Consulting. Over the last 10 years she has worked at a range of organisations and governments to understand and articulate quality and inspire change. With a Masters in early childhood education, Catharine has extensive experience in the early childhood sector beginning as a teacher in a kindergarten program in the northern suburbs of Melbourne to lead roles in a range of services and projects for children and their families.

Catharine draws on her experience and ongoing practice research to consider how theory connects and informs practice. Specialising in early childhood practice and pedagogy, quality improvement, policy and governance, the delivery of integrated services to engage vulnerable children and their families.

Catharine’s involvement in the early childhood sector is an important part of her commitment to the outcomes for children. She is a long-time member of Early Childhood Australia (ECA) currently serving as the Co-chair of the Reconciliation Advisory Group and is a regular contributor in ECA publications. Catharine has been a member of the ECA Code of Ethics working group for the last two reviews and is a co-author on the recently published Ethics in Action Implementation guide. Catharine is a Board Member of the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) and the Early Years-10 Curriculum and Assessment Committee for the VCAA and has recently been appointed as a second tier reviewer for ACECQA.

Catharine is a dynamic speaker and collaborative facilitator and is skilled at engaging professionals in reflective dialogue and creative conversations.

 

Dr Narelle Lemon

Dr Narelle Lemon

Dr Narelle Lemon is a writer, educator and researcher heavily influenced by positive psychology with over 25 years’ experience in educational contexts across early years, K-12, higher education, museums, arts and cultural settings, and community.

She currently holds the position of Associate Professor in Education at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia where she works with those studying to be future teachers. Narelle is very much inspired by being a ‘pracademic’, and her portfolio approach to research includes positive psychology specifically aimed at empowering self-care routines, mindfulness and coping strategies; arts and cultural education; and her award-winning scholarship of learning and teaching work in social media use for learning and professional development.

Narelle has just co-authored a new book called Building and Sustaining a Teaching Career: Strategies for Professional Experience, Wellbeing and Mindful Practice (Cambridge University Press). Narelle is also the Creative Director of Explore & Create Co that offers workshops, coaching and resources for those looking to build their self-care through mindfulness inspired strategies while building a toolbox of wellbeing resources that impacts both personal and professional growth.

 

Lisa Baker

Lisa Baker

Lisa Baker has been a teacher and learner in the field of early education for over 30 years. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) and has a breadth of knowledge and experience in education. Lisa understands childhood is a critical time for development, learning and wellbeing.

Lisa’s presentations and publications, highlighting synergies between the fields of early childhood, wellbeing science and nature pedagogy, are grounded in literature and based in practice, combining theory and strategy for educators.

As a member of the Wellbeing Literacy and Language Research Stream and Melbourne University’s Centre for Positive Psychology (CPP), Lisa also has an interest in the development and application of wellbeing literacy. Lisa continues to work in an early education service and is also a Senior Associate of The Positivity Institute, Sydney.

Recordings

For a full-screen view, please double click on the recording.

Session 1 Wellbeing and Positive Psychology – How the research can help you

Session 2 Flourishing Futures – Why wellbeing science is essential for educators in the early years

Session 3 Wellbeing in Action – How does it really work?

Resources

Positive Psychology

Baker, L., Green, S. & Falecki, D. (2017). Positive early childhood education: Expanding the reach of
positive psychology into early childhood. European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 1(8), 1-12.
https://www.thepositivityinstitute.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/BakerGreenFalecki-EJAPP-Positive-early-childhood-education.pdf

Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122271/

PERMA and PERMAH

As the field of positive psychology has grown so has theory. One key theory is the PERMA (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishments) model. This is outlined further here: https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/.

Martin Seligman originally developed PERMA and in recent times several researchers add an H to represent Health, so within this conversation Dr Lemon uses PERMAH.

Further Academic reading is available here:

Self-determination theory

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/2000_RyanDeci_SDT.pdf

Exploration of other sources of information about wellbeing and positive psychology were discussed. Below are some sources for you to consider:

YouTube: 

Podcasts

Blogs

Website

Mini pause meditations for on the go