Workshop Series for Kindy Teachers
Do you want to learn how to help children feel calm at kindy?
Choose from a series of Professional Development workshops (online or face to face), where you will learn how to teach simple yoga movements, mindfulness and breathing techniques throughout the kindy day to help children feel calm and to introduce emotional regulation tools.
The workshop series fits into both Physical and Social / Emotional capabilities of the curriculum. The workshops offer a perfect blend of practical techniques and activities with theoretical concepts from experts in the fields of brain development; human behaviour; trauma and somatic practices.
Workshop Topics & Expected Outcomes
1. Calm Tools for Kindy
In this 2-3 hour workshop, Educators will learn:
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the stress response & how it leads to dysregulated behaviour in children
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movements & breathing to help with emotional regulation
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the importance of effective co-regulation
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how executive brain functioning is impaired & can be enhanced
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tools to build children's capacity to focus their mind; learn their "inside voice" & appreciate quiet, calm time
After this workshop, it is intended that Educators will feel confident in delivering these tools throughout the day, when they identify that a child has become dysregualted and will be able to effectively co-regulate with the child as needed.
2. Yoga Moves & Storytelling & Calm Transitions
In this 2-3 hour workshop, Educators will learn:
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Yoga poses that are suitable for the anatomy & development of children aged 2-5 years old
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how to engage children in Yoga movements & breathing exercises using nursery rhymes & stories
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how to combine literacy with physical literacy
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group activities to help bring cohesion & connection to the group and create a fun experience where everyone belongs
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tools to build children's capacity to focus their mind; learn their "inside voice" & appreciate quiet, calm time
After this workshop, it is intended that Educators will feel confident in delivering a Yoga class for the whole class to encourage children to join in at group time and bring them from high energy states to a state of calm.
3. Calm Tools for Kids with Autism and / or Trauma
In this 2-3 hour workshop, Educators will learn:
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the tell tale signs to look out for when they suspect children may have experienced Trauma or be on the Autism Spectrum
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key calming tools and tips for children who may have experienced Trauma or be on the Autism Spectrum
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what happens in the brain of a child who is affected by Trauma or Autism
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tools to build children's capacity to focus their mind; learn their "inside voice" & appreciate quiet, calm time
After this workshop, it is intended that Educators will feel confident in offering additional support throughout the day, to children who may have experienced Trauma or be on the Autism Spectrum and effectively co-regulate and encourage them to feel safe and calm within the kindy classroom.
NOTE: The pre-requisite for this workshop is "Calm Tools for Kindy" which can be done on the same day or earlier date.
4. * NEW IN 2024* The Steps to Self Regulation
In this 2-3 hour workshop, Educators will learn:
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the steps towards children being able to self regulate their emotions
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how to effectively co-regulate with children when they are in a dysregulated state
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ways to regulate their own nervous system and emotions so that they can be better at co-regulation with children
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tools to build children's capacity towards self regulation of their emotions
You can combine a couple of topics with an optional quick revision of a previously attended workshop.
Training Format Options
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Face to face workshops can be tailored to the time you have available but are invoiced at "half day" or "full day" set rates
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Face to face modelling classes with children and teachers (1 hour)
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Online group workshops: taught in real time over zoom (1-2 hours)
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Online coaching with staff in real time over zoom (1 hour)
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Pre-recorded online courses (6 hours, work at your own pace, see details below)
What People Say...
Excellent workshop- loved hearing about the theoretical underpinning and having that united with the practical exercises.
Kindy Inclusion Officer
Workshop was practical, moving, calming rather than just being bombarded with information. I really enjoyed participating in this workshop. I loved that you gave us the opportunity to watch, participate and practice.
Early Childhood Teacher
Everything was fantastic. Would love to have you back. Loved it.
Early Childhood Teacher
Tailored to your needs
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You can combine a combination of topics to suit your needs (Allow 2-3 hours per topic)
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Workshop duration can meet your needs & are billed at the rate of "half day" 3 hours) or "full day" (6 hours + breaks)
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These workshops can be delivered in person or on zoom in real time
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An optional "modelling with the children" session (1hr) so you can see the way the tools are taught and how the children respond
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There is an option for a pre-recorded course package which features similar, but sightly different content to the live workshops
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There is an option to invest in some staff coaching sessions online to help you implement what you have learnt
Pre-recorded, online course package
Not able to find back fill staff or get a day off for training? No worries!
There is an online course package with pre-recorded videos, that you can work through at your own pace. This video package is a total of 6 hours, broken down into bite-size chapters with clear demonstrations & downloadable notes.
Topics included in the package:
* Calm Breathing
* Calm Tools for Kindy
* Brain Breaks for Overwhelmed Kids
* Storytelling Yoga for Kindy (coming soon)
* Kids yoga classes x3
Add on to the pre-recorded package:
You can order the pre-recorded video package and add on some zoom sessions to give you additional coaching so I can help you implement what you have learnt from the course, into the classroom.
Tailored to your needs
-
You can combine a combination of topics to suit your needs (Allow 2-3 hours per topic)
-
Workshop duration can meet your needs & are billed at the rate of "half day" 3 hours) or "full day" (6 hours + breaks)
-
These workshops can be delivered in person or on zoom in real time
-
An optional "modelling with the children" session (1hr) so you can see the way the tools are taught and how the children respond
-
There is an option for a pre-recorded course package which features similar, but sightly different content to the live workshops
-
There is an option to invest in some staff coaching sessions online to help you implement what you have learnt
More feedback...
Best PD I've done in 36 years of being an Educator.
Early Childhood Teacher
Having us participate in the activities helped us to retain them easily and incorporate them into our teaching practice. I began implementing them the day after the workshop.
Online workshop participant
Theory explained really well.
Very practical.
I feel confident to use it with children.
One of the best workshops
I've been to.
Early Childhood Teacher
Resources
Here is a little yoga sequence to the ABC song that you can do with the kids right away- they love it!
The children LOVE exploring the jungle in this Yoga class.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
* YES- The workshops are a blend of sitting on chairs, moving, talking, discussing, experiencing, practice teaching & breaks. No- we aren't just talking the whole time, nor doing Yoga poses for 3-6 hours!
* YES- Wear clothes that are comfortable to move in and sit on the floor in. (Jeans and skirts aren't ideal). No- you don't need to wear lycra yoga pants!
* YES- I will be sharing the practices and tools of Yoga, but no, I won't be sharing any religious practices. The workshop makes no reference to Yoga's Hindu roots, and instead takes a modern-day, non-denominational approach. Rather than devotional practices, the workshop is a blend of the theories from neuroscience, somatic movement and relaxation practices.
* YES- you will get a certificate with your PD hours listed. No- you won't come out of this workshop as qualified Children's Yoga Teacher.
* YES- we can travel to your location!
* YES - you can combine with other kindys and split costs.
* YES - please provide your own lunch/ snacks/ water.
* YES - the workshop is facilitated in your kindy (We just need the space you use for storytelling. If you have a large group, we may need to clear more space/ hire a hall).
About Your Facilitator
Stacey Louise is one of Australia's most experienced and inspirational Children's Yoga Teachers.
Having always loved being with children, Stacey wanted to be a Kindy or Primary School Teacher, but once she started studying a Bachelor of Education, she found that it wasn't creative enough for her. She changed pathways and completed a Bachelor of Communication instead, which landed her a job working at Network TEN in Children's Television production followed by live to air news production. All the while, Stacey was practicing yoga and teaching group fitness classes before and after work.
Eventually the stress of the TV industry got too much and coupled with a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, the decision was made to prioritise health.
She started her own business in 2005, teaching Yoga and fitness classes for both adults and children. Since 2012, Stacey has been facilitating Children’s Yoga Teacher Training. The Inspired Kids Training courses are practical, authentic, down to earth and whole-hearted. You will be encouraged to weave your own unique gifts, experiences, values and qualities into your interactions with children.
Over the past two decades, there have been many full circle moments, where the side steps along her career path have been beautifully integrated. For example, Stacey’s first experience of meditation was in a high school drama class- now she gets to teach meditation to school students. Her dream to be a Kindy teacher has turned into her dream job of teaching yoga to kindy aged children and facilitating training for their teachers. Her experience working in TV production and her desire to use the medium of television to educate and inspire kids to move their bodies mindfully, has led to the creation of many videos, TV appearances and online courses. And her greatest legacy is “Calm Fairies” where Stacey used her own experience of enduring hundreds of needles and medical appointments to create a program that helps children in hospital to cope with the stress of medical settings using the tools of Yoga.
Beyond all of her qualifications and achievements, it is Stacey’s passion for holding space and empowering others to find their way ‘home’ to their hearts and their true self that makes her shine the brightest.
Qualifications
~ Registered Senior Level Yoga Teacher (Yoga Australia)
~ Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance)
~ Registered Children’s Yoga Training School (Yoga Alliance)
~ Yoga Therapist working in Children’s Hospital wards (since 2005)
~ Short courses in : Trauma Informed Yoga for Children; Play Therapy; Meditation; Zen Thai Massage
~ AcroYoga Teacher
~ Kidfit Instructor; Group Fitness Leader; Personal Trainer (Cert 4 Fitness)
~ Bachelor of Communication (Theatre/ Screen Production)
~ Bachelor of Primary Education (first year only, not completed)
~ Currently studying a Diploma of Counselling
Career Highlights
~ Founder of “Calm Fairies” hospital program & app
~ Presenting a Yoga class on Peppa Pig You Tube Channel
~ Producing a Kids Yoga video series that screened globally on Gaia TV
~ Teaching Kids Yoga at Wanderlust Festivals at Sunshine Coast; Melbourne; Sydney; NZ
~ Travelling around QLD teaching over 80 workshops for Kindy teachers in 2022 & 2023
~ Presenting at C & K early childhood national conference
~ Teaching Yoga at All Hallows Girls School for 14 years
~ Teaching AcroYoga around Australia
~ Performing AcroYoga on national TV
~ Part of the Being Yoga Teacher Training team (Level 1 & 2)
~ Presenting Yoga Therapy at Yoga Fest
~ Presenting calm tools to nurses & pharmacists in hospital
~ Being a Yoga teacher at the EndED (Eating Disorders) "House of Hope" mindful studio
~ Teaching Yoga to children in a refuge for domestic violence survivors
~ Working in Network TV production
~ Positively impacting the lives of thousands of people over 2 decades