Courageous Conversations – Childhood Development Workshop for Professionals
Date attended: 12 March 2025
Content Focus: Explores areas of development for children birth to five years; An overview on developmental delay and disability; Offers strategies to build stronger relationships with families; Tips to effectively communicate concerns with families; Information about where families can seek support for their child.
Type: In person Professional Workshop
Length: 2 hours
Audience: Community professionals working in the Liverpool LGA with children and families (0-8 years)
Organisers: EACH The Early Childhood Partner for the NDIS for Southwest Sydney
Presenters:
Theodora Hatzihirsafis (Community Development Coordinator – Early Childhood Approach),
Hasan Hawatmeh (Community Development Coordinator – Early Childhood Approach).
Reflection:
The Courageous Conversations workshop aimed to provide a space to network with other professionals working with early years children and families within the Liverpool LGA. The focus was to create open dialogue about supporting families and children with developmental delays and needs.
I attended this workshop at the suggestion of my work supervisor at Liverpool City Library. As a Program’s Library Assistant, I facilitate many of the regular early year’s programs and contact and develop relationships with families and children within the library on a regular basis.
The workshop helped to develop meaningful professional relationships with businesses and individuals within the Liverpool area who provide specialized services for children with developmental needs. This is especially helpful in my role as a children’s library professional at Liverpool City Library, as I can provide suggestions and contacts to parents and carers who may be seeking additional formal support for their children.
The workshop provided insight into the appropriate and professional language to use when discussing and supporting families and children with developmental needs, as well as how to identify and communicate developmental delay concerns by understanding the Areas of Development in children. These areas cover the emotional, social, physical, cognitive, and language development milestones for children. The workshop maintained a focus on creating open, welcoming and non-judgmental environments and relationships with families, to ensure they feel respected and safe from stigma.
I will utilize the Area of Development model to understand the appropriate developmental milestones for children aged 0-8, to better cater children’s programs to library customers, as well as remaining aware of the services and professionals within the LGA which offer formal support. This will ensure I can accurately inform and encourage regular patrons to seek advice if they have concerns about their child’s developmental milestones.
Evidence of Attendance:
Courageous Conversations Ticket
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