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How to support children’s development and learning

INDUSTRY

Early Childhood

CATEGORY

Refresher Module

LEVEL

Entry

AVG COMPLETION TIME

25 mins
Access This Course

Expert Led

Developed by Australian Experts

Up To Date

Updated as standards and regulations change

Compliant

Comply with ethical and legal obligations

Self Paced

Complete in the flow of work

What You’ll Learn

  • Understand the principles of intentional teaching and how it supports children’s holistic learning.
  • Identify and plan meaningful, developmentally appropriate experiences that promote growth across all areas.
  • Recognise and respond to spontaneous teachable moments.
  • Apply Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) to scaffold learning effectively.
  • Use strategies such as scaffolding, reciprocal scaffolding, and open-ended questioning to extend learning.
  • Encourage children’s learning processes — exploration, experimentation, inquiry, and problem-solving.
  • Foster positive learning dispositions such as curiosity, persistence, creativity, and resilience.
  • Support children to develop self-scaffolding and self-regulation skills.
  • Integrate intentional teaching within daily routines to enhance learning in natural contexts.
  • Arrange environments that balance children’s needs for interaction, independence, rest, and exploration.
  • Apply principles of Quality Area 3: Physical Environment to create safe, stimulating, and inclusive spaces.
  • Collaborate with families and colleagues to share children’s successes and enhance learning partnerships.
  • Reflect on practice to continually improve learning outcomes in alignment with the EYLF and NQS.

Course Overview

Learning is a lifelong journey and in early childhood, the environments we create and the relationships we build have a powerful influence on how children grow and develop.

This course explores how educators can intentionally plan, scaffold, and respond to learning opportunities to promote holistic development across all domains. Participants will learn how to create meaningful environments, support children’s independence and learning dispositions, and embed intentional teaching into daily routines and spontaneous play.

Grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standard (NQS) Quality Area 3, this course focuses on the vital role of educators as intentional teachers and reflective practitioners who design spaces that inspire, engage, and nurture every child.

This course is part of our Child Development 101 series.

We hope you enjoy. Check out other courses in this series!

Course Activities

Introduction

  • Welcome to Child development 101 Series
  • What you will learn
  • Links to NQF

    • Lessons

  • Understanding Intentional Teaching
  • How the EYLF Supports Learning and Development
  • Planned vs. Spontaneous Teaching Opportunities
  • Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
  • Scaffolding and Reciprocal Scaffolding
  • Encouraging Learning Processes
  • Developing Learning Dispositions
  • Promoting Self-Scaffolding and Independence
  • Supporting Development Across Multiple Domains
  • Using Daily Routines as Learning Opportunities
  • Arranging the Environment for Holistic Learning
  • Designing Spaces: Open/Closed, Simple/Complex, Risk/Safety
  • Applying NQS Quality Area 3 – The Physical Environment
  • Collaborating with Families to Share Successes
  • Supporting Colleague Collaboration and Reflective Practice
  • Recognising Ages, Stages and Individual Differences

    • Conclusions

  • Knowledge Checks
  • Final Quiz

    • Meet Your Course Authors

    KA

    Karen Atkinson

    Childcare Resources

    With 38+ years of experience in Early Childhood and Adult Education, Karen combines her background as a Teacher, University Lecturer, and RTO Founder to develop research-based, practical learning resources. Her expertise spans educational theory, curriculum design, and neuroscience-informed approaches to effective teaching and professional development.

    SS

    Stephanie Sinclair

    Childcare Resources

    With 15+ years in Early Childhood Education, Stephanie brings experience as a Teacher, Trainer, and Consultant, specialising in curriculum design, play-based learning, and compliance with National Standards. As Co-Director of Insightful Learning and Education, she’s dedicated to helping educators create environments where curiosity and connection thrive.

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