Early childhood education resources

Some examples of early childhood strategic plans.

A series of practical exercises that can be used as part of the strategic planning process.

How to respond to common issues during the strategic planning process.

An introduction to complexity theory in strategy design.

How using mathematical language in early childhood education supports young children's understanding of mathematical concepts.

An introduction to the key principles of kaupapa Māori leadership and their implications for early childhood settings.

An introduction to practices that support children to develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies.

An introduction to understanding sensory processing differences and what they mean for young children.

Understanding the social and emotional strengths and needs of autistic children.

An introduction to enacting the principles of social justice in early childhood settings.

An introduction to a rare but distinct form of autism.

An introduction to the research on digital technologies and their impact on children’s learning, development and wellbeing.

How to support digital play in early childhood settings.

An introduction to the processes involved in learning to move.

An overview of recent documents and guidelines regarding leadership for leaders and teachers in New Zealand and recent related research on leadership.

How positional leaders can support professional learning related to teaching and leadership in ECE.

Outdoor spaces and the many types of learning through play they support.

The characteristics and benefits of risky play, and how to design spaces and programmes to promote it.

Designing outdoor spaces in early childhood education that support children’s opportunities to learn and develop through many kinds of outdoor play.

A brief introduction to the structure, aims and values of New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki.

An introduction to the wide range of skills that encompass the communcation strand, and strategies for supporting the development of children’s communication.

The benefits of attending to young children’s sense of belonging and features of practice that support and develop it.

The key skills involved in the exploration strand and how to support and enable them.

The main ideas underpinning the contribution strand and how to build and enable children’s contribution in early childhood settings.

An overview of the principle of family and community and strategies for building meaningful relationships with families.

The key concepts underpinning the wellbeing strand of Te Whāriki and practices for supporting children’s wellbeing in early childhood settings.

An overview of the different aspects of children’s learning and development that contribute to their holistic development.

An introduction to the principle of relationships and their crucial role in early childhood education.

An introduction to the principle of empowerment and some specific practices for empowering young children and their families.

The importance of relationships to children’s wellbeing, learning and development, and some strategies for building strong, reciprocal relationships with children in early childhood settings.

A description of some of the key principles underpinning Steiner education.

A guide to some key considerations when designing and adapting indoor spaces in early childhood settings.

A summary of the key tenets of the Pikler/RIE philosophy of early childhood care and education.

An introduction to the concept of ‘serve and return’, the challenges it brings, and the many benefits for infants and toddlers.

An introduction to key concepts underpinning the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education.

An introduction to the key components of the Montessori approach to early childhood education.

An overview of the key features of assessment that promotes learning and enhanced wellbeing in early childhood education.

The principles, purpose, focus and different forms of assessment in early childhood education at a glance.

A brief overview of learning notes and how they can be used instead of learning stories.

A closer look at learning stories and how to use them in early childhood education.

A brief overview of assessment practices for early childhood settings that are grounded in the principles of kaupapa Māori.

An overview of the principles of validity, reliability and fairness that should underpin all educational assessment.

An introduction to the principles of assessment that underlie a ‘system that learns’, encompassing early childhood education, primary school and secondary school.

How to talk to young children about resilience and a set of strategies to help them start developing their resilience in early childhood settings.

An introduction to the concept of working theories and their implications for curriculum design in early childhood programmes.

A closer look at the role of the teacher in promoting and supporting the development of children’s working theories in early childhood education.

The research and principles underpinning intentional teaching in early childhood education.

Practical ideas for teachers wanting to implement intentional teaching principles.

Five questions designed to help you reflect on the infant and toddler curriculum in your early childhood setting.

A brief introduction to autism and what it means for teaching and learning.

A set of strategies for supporting autistic children to thrive in early childhood settings.

How to engage in collaborative inquiry.

Coming in July 2026

In this webinar, Professor Amanda Bateman from Birmingham City University will explore the sequences of talk that occur during shared inquiry in early childhood settings, demonstrating how teaching and learning are co-constructed — one utterance at a time — between teachers and children.

Coming in June 2026

Associate Professor Gloria Quiñones from Monash University explores how infants and toddlers’ interactions with their bodies, peers, environments, and even non-human entities can be supported through thoughtful, slow pedagogies.

Coming in May 2026

This webinar for early childhood and school teachers and leaders will share insights from research by Professor Sally Peters and Dr Hazel Woodhouse which highlights the powerful role of early childhood settings, schools, Settlement Centre staff, and families in supporting positive educational experiences and transitions.

Coming in May 2026

This webinar with Professor Kate Williams will provide early childhood teachers with evidence-based guidance to navigate neuroscience in education, distinguish fact from myth, and strengthen professional practice.

Coming in April 2026

Communication is at the heart of every child’s learning, yet one in fourteen children experiences delays. This webinar with Greta Gotlieb is perfect for teachers passionate about supporting communication and creating more inclusive communities through sign language (NZSL).

Tuesday 10 March 2026, 7.30pm

With more children entering early childhood centres with complex needs, this webinar with Lucy Wood will support you to transform challenging moments into opportunities for growth, resilience, and connection, and to create safe, supportive environments that promote the wellbeing of both tamariki and kaiako.

4th February 2026, 7.30pm

In this live webinar, internationally recognised researcher Professor Marilyn Fleer will share practical insights into how play worlds and narratives can be used to achieve meaningful science outcomes in early childhood and primary classrooms.

Professor Karen Malone shares insights from her research with teachers into ethical practices for engaging with nature in early childhood settings

Dr Sonya Gaches from the University of Otago explores how objects associated with home serve as holders of narratives that create a sense of belonging for children

Dr Kiri Gould of the University of Auckland explores teacher identity in early childhood education, and how it intersects with discourses of equity, belonging, and inclusion

Love has been positioned as a contested emotion in early childhood education, but there are strong arguments for exploring this in early childhood practice

Tami Harris of Acorn Neurodiversity explores how using a trauma-informed lens to support neurodivergent students in school settings can help teachers to mitigate challenges

Dr Rebecca Hopkins supports teachers to broaden their conceptualisation of literacy, and their intentional practices

Associate Professor Sonja Arndt and Professor Kylie Smith explore how early childhood settings can support children and families with a range of identities

Julie Cullen of Sensible Screen Use shares insights from a recently published review which examined the impacts of digital technologies on the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents

Dr Vicki Hargraves talks about how teachers can develop supportive, inclusive pedagogies and environments that nurture all learners.

Dr Tui Summers talks about some of the key principles that underpin kaupapa Māori leadership

Dr Jessica Tupou (Victoria University Wellington) shares insights from her ongoing research into supporting autistic children and the importance of taking a culturally responsive approach

This webinar with Jennifer Neill offers valuable insights and practical strategies to ensure a child’s transition from early childhood education to school is as smooth and positive as possible

Dr Vicki Hargraves answers
questions about research and practice in early childhood education

Back by popular demand, Dr Gai Lindsay hosts a practical visual arts workshop focused on how teachers can incorporate gelli plate printing into their early childhood contexts

Professor Claire McLachlan and colleagues share their project exploring how early childhood settings can inspire positive educational trajectories among young children

Dr Daniel Lovatt returns to share some extended examples of how teachers can support children’s working theories.

Dr Anna Winneker explores why children will exhibit challenging behaviour including a discussion of specific emotional or behavioural disorders, and how teachers in early childhood contexts can respond positively and effectively to children.

Professor Beth Blue Swadener and Dr Lacey Peters will explore how teachers can meaningfully engage with children’s voices, perspectives and experiences and incorporate a social justice approach into their teaching practice

Dr Kate McAnelly shares her research into disability and inclusion, and how early childhood centres can create a culture of inclusion that supports the wellbeing, learning, and engagement of all children

Multi-award-winning architect Phil Smith and hugely experienced early childhood leader Jacqui Lees will explore ways that teachers can use the language of space to promote and encourage learning, creativity, movement, exploration, and social emotional wellbeing

Kim Milne (principal advisor at FASD-CAN) discusses what FASD is, how it affects children and adolescents and what teachers and schools can do to support students with FASD

Dr Sarah Ferguson shares her extensive knowledge about how to promote workplace wellbeing, including providing educators with tools and strategies that help them to build their resilience and improve their wellbeing

International expert Gill Connell discusses the range of movement patterns children need to be engaging with to support their holistic development

Gabrielle Orr discusses the research into effective nutrition and feeding practices that support children to develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies.

Dr Gai Lindsay provides a practical session focused on supporting teachers with their own art-making as well as their pedagogy around the visual arts in early childhood education.

Professor Mara Sapon-Shevin (Syracuse University, USA) discusses how early childhood teachers can approach gender non-conformity, including the prevalent and often unquestioned gender-based assumptions present in society

Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles and Dr Maia Osborn from Southern Cross University, Australia share findings from their research into teaching and learning science and STEM concepts through play-based pedagogies and nature play

Professor Carol Mutch (University of Auckland) shares her research from over 12 years of supporting schools through different disasters and crises both in Aotearoa and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Dr Madeleine Dobson (Curtin University, Australia) discusses her research into the representation of children on social media with Dr Vicki Hargraves

Professor Marek Tesar (University of Auckland) and Dr Vicki Hargraves discuss the importance of incorporating children’s voices in to curriculum design and implementation in early childhood settings.

The Education Hub's Dr Vicki Hargraves joins Nina Hood to talk about some of the key ideas emerging from recent early childhood research and how this research can inform teachers’ practice.

Dr Daniel Lovatt (Aro Arataki Early Childhood Centre) and Dr Vicki Hargraves discuss how children use working theories to make sense of their world, and offer practical advice for teachers.

Dr Gai Lindsay, Dr Sarah Probine, and Dr Rachel Denee talk about their research about the role of early childhood teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs in their visual arts practices.

Associate Professor Mere Skerrett from Victoria University of Wellington shares insights into her work on bilingualism and language development in early childhood settings.

Insights from the second stage of the TLRI (Teaching and Learning Research Initiative) study that aims to develop New Zealand’s first Samoan Indigenous framework for Samoan infant and toddler pedagogy.

Dr Erica Zippert talks about how to support children to explore and develop their understanding of foundational maths skills involving numeracy, patterns, and spatial understanding.

Sue Cherrington, Kate Thornton, and Rachel Denee explore recent research into the role of professional learning communities (PLCs) in early childhood education and discuss the role of both within-centre and network PLCs.

Watch Greta Bull-Crossan discuss ways musical play can be supported and empowered across infant, toddler and preschool age groups.

Dr Lesley Rameka explores how mana can be promoted through kaitiakitanga or active guardianship, as one way of meeting the practice expectations outlined in Te Whāriki.

Learn more about the way that teachers use inquiry as a tool for both children’s curriculum and professional learning at Kids' Domain.

This webinar is a sequel to our 2021 webinar, exploring the role of movement in children’s learning and development, and how teachers can support children.

Caring and trauma-informed approaches can make a world of difference to young children, their wellbeing, and their learning.

This webinar speaks to earliest transitions in early childhood education as threads of significance in and across time.

This webinar examines the Pathways section of Te Whāriki and its potential to support learning as children transition from early childhood education to school.

Exploring the role movement plays in child development and how teachers can support children to be develop gross and fine motor skills.

This panel discussion is based on a two-year TLRI (Teaching and Learning Research Initiative) study that aims to develop New Zealand’s first Samoan indigenous framework for Samoan infant and toddler pedagogy in early childhood education.

Dr Anna Winneker focuses on strategies to understand why particular behaviour may be happening and how to prevent and respond to incidents when they occur.

Learn about Kids’ Domain’s culture of research and inquiry, which is strongly rooted in Te Whāriki and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.

Claire McLachlan from Federation University Australia explores how literacy can be fostered in early childhood settings.

Professor Carmen Dalli and Dr Karyn Aspden explore the key messages about the specialist nature of high quality infant and toddler practice.

Sally Peters and Hazel Woodhouse from the University of Waikato explore transitions in the early years.

Dr Chris Jenkin (AUT) discusses the benefits and growth that come from approaching team-building from an appreciative inquiry perspective.

Dr Sarah Probine (Manukau Institute of Technology) and Jacqui Lees (of Pakuranga Baptist Kindergarten) discuss how rich visual arts practices can be developed through collaboration and creativity.

This webinar, presented by Dr Helen Little, explores how affordances in the outdoor environment promote children’s wellbeing and learning.

This session with Deanna Niha, from an early childhood centre in Whangarei, discusses how her centre approaches bilingual and bicultural education and leadership.

Dr Louisa Penfold discusses why materials and aesthetics are important in children’s learning, and offers strategies for designing play spaces based on contemporary art practices.

Exploring different resources, tools, and professional learning processes to support teachers to promote children’s social-emotional learning

This webinar explores ways teachers might come together to harness the opportunities of diversity and relationships for the benefit of children and families.

This webinar explores how bullying develops in early childhood and how to spot it, activities and strategies to prevent bullying from occurring.

A discussion on the importance of outdoor play for children's development and how to design outdoor spaces.

This webinar explores the importance of teachers’ relationships with each other in early childhood settings.

Discover and learn about intentional teaching through the investigation process. Hear examples of investigations at Daisies, and what helped them flow.

Celeste Harrington (AUT) and Lorraine Manuela (Director at Tots Corner) explore what leadership means in early childhood education.

A discussion about the elements involved in setting up a local curriculum and look at ways to work with Te Whāriki (2017) to make this happen authentically.

Professors Susan Edwards and Leon Straker discuss their Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies, including current research and practice-advice for educators and families.

Dr Megan McClelland and Dr Shauna Tominey discuss executive function – the skills that help us to plan, focus, regulate our behavior, remember instructions and complete tasks.

Sue Cherrington and Tara McLauglin discuss how early childhood teachers can be intentional in their teaching, with a particular focus on the concept of sustained shared thinking.

Dr Karyn Aspden and Linda Clarke from Massey University discuss their research into the teaching practices that support social-emotional competence of infants and toddlers.

Angel Chan and Jenny Ritchie in conversation with Vicki Hargraves about understanding and responding to superdiversity in early childhood settings.

Emma Quigan from Talking Matters talks about what they have learned from their research with mothers and their children about babies’ exposure to language.

Alison Sutton from Talking Matters talks to Vicki Hargraves about the importance of early language to lifelong learning.

Jean Rockel and Lorraine Manuela in conversation with Vicki Hargraves, discussing infant and toddler education and care

The importance of movement and learning in early childhood education.

How children use visual arts and how teachers can help.

How to support early mathematical thinking.

Tips for building an effective curriculum.

Social emotional competence and how to support it in early childhood settings.

Strategies for promoting awareness of print in early childhood education.

How to support phonological awareness in early childhood settings.

Key strategies for promoting the development of children's oral language and communication.

The building blocks of early literacy and how teachers can support its development.

Key principles for preventing and responding to bullying.

Executive function skills support wellbeing and success at school and in life. Find out more about how to promote and develop them.

Discover the types of play, how they impact young children, and what roles teachers can take.

The key components of effective pedagogy when working with infants and toddlers.

The principles, purpose, focus and different forms of assessment in early childhood education at a glance.

Key insights from a webinar with Tami Harris from Acorn Neurodiversity.

Key insights from a webinar with Dr Rebecca Hopkins from AUT.

Key insights from a webinar with Professor Kylie Smith and Associate Professor Sonja Arndt from The University of Melbourne.

Key insights from a webinar with Julie Cullen from Sensible Screen Use.

Key insights from a webinar with Dr Vicki Hargraves.

Key insights from a webinar with Dr Tui Summers from Te Rito Maioha.

Key insights from a webinar with Dr Jessica Tupou.

Insights from a webinar with Jennifer Neill on the transition to school.

Key insights from the webinar with the Possible Me research team.

Insights from a webinar with Dr Sarah Ferguson.

Key insights from the webinar with Dr Kate McAnelly.

Key insights from the webinar with Professor Beth Blue Swadener and Dr Lacey Peters.

Key insights from our second webinar with Dr Anna Winneker on supporting children with challenging behaviour.

Insights from our webinar with architect Phil Smith and early childhood leader Jacqui Lees.

Insights from our webinar with Kim Milne from FASD-CAN.

Intentional strategies for supporting infants’ early engagement with literacy.

How one team approaches the documentation of children’s learning.

A team-based approach to settling a new child into the centre.

How venturing outside the centre builds children’s sense of belonging in their community.

Blocks and construction materials provide rich opportunities for cross-curricular learning.

The deliberate design of spaces affords a range of curriculum opportunities.

How technology can be used in different ways to enrich children’s learning.

The principles of an inquiry-based approach at Kids’ Domain.

How the teachers at Kids’ Domain use an inquiry-based approach to respond to children’s interests.

Using deliberate strategies to support infants’ and toddlers’ emotional wellbeing and learning.

Challenging and risky play provides multiple opportunities for physical and social emotional learning.

The benefits of open-ended resources and environments for supporting learning and exploration.

How effective teams work together and support each other.

Discover how one early childhood centre approaches a project-focused curriculum.

Exploring the local community provides many valuable learning opportunities,

Opportunities for exploration and risk-taking supports children’s resilience, perseverance and confidence.

See how one teacher’s interest in fashion design led to the development of a cross-curricular focus on design thinking.

See how one centre creates positive and enriching experiences for children, parents and teachers.

Explore how a kindergarten uses extended projects to embrace and celebrate children’s exploration.

Developing routines and rituals helps give children a sense of ownership of the daily programme.

How respectful documentation can lead to the development of a meaningful and authentic curriculum.

Explore how children’s wonderings and questions can spark inquiries and cross-curricular learning.

How children’s interests, wonderings and questions can create authentic community partnerships.

The key ideas and strategies from our webinar with dietitian Gabrielle Orr.

Using anchoring to support infants’ and toddlers’ exploration, learning, and emotional wellbeing

Using one teacher’s background in fashion design to inspire children’s interest in sewing and design.

Using the language of space to invite children to play, engage, and create in a range of ways.

Using science for children to learn how to protect and nurture their environment.

Valuing children’s right to advocate for their own and others’ ideas.

Gardening opens up a wide range of opportunities for science, sustainability, and social emotional learning.

How one centre approached the design of their outside spaces.

Engaging in Rongoā Māori in early childhood settings.

As children explore the world, around them, there are countless opportunities to explore their ideas and build their understand.

Using intentional language when engaging with children.

The key ideas from our webinar with Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles and Maia Osborn on exploring scientific concepts and STEM learning through nature play.

The key insights from our webinar with Professor Mara Sapon-Shevin talking about gender non-conformity in early childhood education.

The key insights from our webinar with Carol Mutch on schools' responses to disasters and traumatic events.

The key insights from our webinar with Madeleine Dobson on the way children are represented on social media platforms and the importance of considering children's rights and perspectives.

The key insights from our webinar with Marek Tesar exploring the vital role of children's voices in early childhood education.

Key insights from our webinar with Daniel Lovatt on enriching children's working theories in early childhood settings.

Key insights from our webinar with Sue Cherrington, Kate Thornton, and Rachel Denee on the role of PLCs in teacher professional learning.

Key insights from our webinar with Gai Lindsay, Sarah Probine, and Rachel Denee on the importance of teacher self-efficacy in teaching the visual arts.

Key insights from our webinar on bilingualism with Associate Professor Mere Skerrett.

Key insights from our second webinar with Jacoba Matapo, Salā Faasaulala Tagoilelagi-Leota, and Tafili Utumapu-McBride.

Key insights from the webinar on early numeracy with Erica Zippert.

Ideas and insights for musical exploration and experiences in early childhood settings from our webinar with Greta Bull-Crossan.

Key insights from our webinar with Madeleine Dobson on social justice and trauma-informed practice in early childhood education.

Key insights from the webinar with Angela Hogan and Laraine Tuaputa from Kids’ Domain.

Key insights from our webinar with Lesley Rameka.

Key insights from our webinar with Gill Connell on the importance of movement for learning.

Gill Connell answers your questions about how to support and promote movement for learning in ECE settings

Key insights from a webinar about the international research project exploring transitions in early childhood education.

Further insights from our second webinar with Sally Peters and Hazel Wodhouse on supporting enriching transitions from early childhood education to school.

Key insights from our webinar with Jacoba Matopo, Salā Faasaulala Tagoilelagi-Leota, and Tafili Utumapu-McBride.

Key insights from our webinar with Anna Winneker on responding to and preventing challenging behaviours.

The key ideas and insights from the webinar with Bridgette Towle and Shirlene Murphy from Kids’ Domain in Auckland.

Key insights from our webinar with Professor Claire McLachlan.

Key insights from our webinar with Professor Megan McClelland and Dr Shauna Tominey.

Key insights from the webinar with Professor Carmen Dalli and Dr Karyn Aspden.

A brief account of the limited research base on pedagogical or educational leadership in early childhood education.

Key insights on transitions from Sally Peters and Hazel Woodhouse.

The key insights from our webinar with Chris Jenkin on Appreciative Inquiry.

The main insights from our webinar with Dr Helen Little on the affordances of outdoor spaces for children’s learning and development.

Practical ideas from our webinar on the visual arts in early childhood education with Dr Sarah Probine and Jacqui Lees.

Key insights from ECE leader Deanna Niha on bicultural practice and leadership

The key things you need to know about what executive function is and how to support it in children.

Key insights from the webinar with Jenny Ritchie and Angel Chan on supporting and working with families from a range of cultural backgrounds in early childhood settings.

Key insights from the webinar with Associate Professor Sue Cherrington and Dr Tara McLaughlin.

A short introduction to the importance of play in ECE

Exploring the importance of literacy at school and in life beyond school.

The key ideas from our webinar with Dr Tara McLaughlin and Karen MacKay on social-emotional learning.

A summary of the key ideas and insights discussed in our webinar with Professors Suzy Edwards and Leon Straker on the use of ICT in early childhood settings.

An animation outlining principles that should guide effective assessment in ECE

How teachers can build trusting relationships in diverse teaching teams in ECE

Key ideas for teachers from a webinar with Dr Cara Swit.

Key insights from a webinar with Mariana Brussoni and Susan Herrington on why outdoor play is so beneficial for children and how to incorporate risky play in early childhood education.

Important ideas for building trustful relationships among teachers in ECE settings

Key lessons from Anne Meade and Meg Kwan on designing an authentic, local curriculum

Key lessons from Anne Meade and Meg Kwan on designing an authentic, local curriculum

Tina Tacken, leader or the infant and toddler space at the AUT Childcare Centre, discusses how she balances Magda Gerber’s concept of respectful practice with the need to develop a rich language environment