Stepping Stone (SA) Be You Action Team Leaders gathered for a session focused on professional learning and collaborative dialogue, supporting our commitment to promoting mental health and wellbeing in learning communities.
The meeting focused on our company-wide priority of Fostering mental health within diverse and inclusive learning communities, with Action Team Leaders reflecting on ongoing research in their centres and how this has informed everyday practices.
A highlight of the session was a presentation titled “Our Language Buttons” by Action Team Leader Melissa, from our Northfield centre. Melissa shared her centre’s journey in celebrating the multiple languages spoken by their families, which involved inviting families to record greetings in their home languages. These button recordings are displayed in the centre’s front foyer for children and their families to engage with. Melissa connected this initiative to our outcomes of deepening relationships and fostering a sense of belonging. This highlighted how cultural inclusion and representation within the learning environment, contributes to the wellbeing of the entire learning community.
Stepping Stone (SA) Action Team Leaders then watched Helen Milroy’s keynote from the ECA Perth Conference, ‘Beyond Crisis: Child Development in a Fast World’, and engaged in reflection on supporting mental health through trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches, reinforcing connections to our company Be You focus.
The session concluded with a reflective discussion on finding the joy, facilitated by Be You consultant Cris. Action Team Leaders were encouraged to consider what brings them joy in early childhood education, reconnecting with the richness of their work and the joyful experiences of educating children and collaborating with families. With a focus on self-efficacy and educator wellbeing, this exploration of joy provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen and enhance overall professional wellbeing.
