Can't wait to see you there!
Join us at a fun-filled day of hands-on practical sessions and inspiring presentations led by industry experts, leading researchers and dedicated peers. You'll leave equipped with fun, simple, and proven ways to help children develop their movement skills and the confidence to be active.
📅Wednesday, 7th May. ⏰10am - 2pm. 📍Telethon Speech and Hearing - Bendat Parent and Community Centre, Wembley.
⏳Get in quick, our heavily discounted early bird tickets ($49 members / $79 non-members) end Friday 28th March.
Secure your earlybird tickets
For every educator, at any level
No matter whether you're an Educator, Service Manager, or Education Leader, the diverse program ensures you'll walk away with game-changing insights and actionable takeaways to implement at your service.
See what we have in store
Here's a preview of the sessions
Encouraging movement opportunities
Creating environments for gross motor skill development in babies and toddlers - 10.15am - 11.00am
Presenters - Nicole Pates and Georgia Storey, Paediatric Physiotherapists from Western Kids Health
Gross motor development is key to a child’s physical growth, confidence, and ability to explore their world. This session will highlight key milestones from birth to age four, from tummy time to crawling, walking, and beyond. Educators will discover how to create movement-friendly environments in ECEC settings using simple materials to encourage safe exploration, climbing, and balance. A hands-on demonstration will also showcase practical, easy-to-implement setups, followed by actionable tips to seamlessly integrate movement into daily routines. The session will conclude with a Q&A, offering educators the chance to share ideas and discuss real-world applications.
View Nicole and Georgia's bio's >
Nature connection for babies and toddlers
Presenter - Trudi Bennett, co-founder of Educated by Nature. Time - 12.45pm - 1.30pm.
Nature connection in the very early years is vital for developing a sense of belonging in nature. This workshop explores the role of ‘educators as researchers’ that deepens our understanding of how young children interact with nature and how to apply this knowledge when interacting and planning for growing connection and discoveries. Inspired by Reggio-Emilia philosophy, we explore research lenses of sensory exploration and Piaget’s schemas as a way to respect the learning journey and play of young children.
Introducing and exploring locomotor skills – Run, Jump, Gallop and Hop
Presenter - Allison King, KIDDO Program Manager (Break out stream A - 11.05am - 11.35am)
Learn about the skills of running, jumping, galloping and hopping and discover how to break them down for young children in a way that is engaging and easy to understand. This practical session will feature proven strategies, child-friendly teaching cues, and we'll all participate in fun, play-based activities designed to build confidence and support skill progression. Walk away with hands-on techniques to make movement learning exciting and accessible for every child.
View Allison's bio >
Beyond skills: The impact of movement on early childhood development
Presenter - Amanda Derbyshire, KIDDO Program Director (Break out stream B - 11.05am-11.35am)
Emerging research highlights the vital connection between gross motor skill development, physical activity, and executive function in young children. This session explores how movement shapes not just physical abilities but also social, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Gain valuable insights into the latest findings and discover effective approaches to integrate movement and enhance learning, engagement, and overall development.
View Amanda's bio >
Introducing and exploring object control skills - Throw, Catch, Kick
Presenter - Allison King, KIDDO Program Manager. (Break out stream A - 11.40am-12.15pm)
Developing object control skills like throwing, catching, and kicking is essential for young children's coordination, confidence, and overall physical development. This interactive session will break down these fundamental skills, exploring techniques, progression, and playful ways to teach them. Learn how to engage children with fun, skill-building activities and discover simple modifications to support different ability levels. Walk away with practical strategies to foster confidence and motivation, ensuring every child feels successful while learning through movement and play.
Exceeding the NQS with KIDDO and Physical Literacy.
Presenter - Amanda Derbyshire, KIDDO Program Director (Break out stream B - 11.40am-12.15pm)
Learn how KIDDO can support the National Quality Standards and Quality Areas. Learn simple methods to integrate physical literacy into daily routines and programming, ensuring children’s development is both fun and aligned with best practices. Discover how KIDDO can be used in your Quality Improvement Plan and explore the tools and resources available to support your service's programming and planning.
From planning to play: How Perth services are developing physical literacy
Panel discussion - 1.30pm-2.00pm
Join us for an inspiring session where educators from Perth-based services share how they’re bringing physical literacy to life. Discover how they use the KIDDO platform to plan dynamic, engaging activities that support children’s development, energise educators, and build strong connections with families. Learn about the tangible benefits they’ve seen in their children’s physical, social, and emotional growth.
Yes, lunch is on us!
Enjoy a delicious, healthy lunchbox tailored to your dietary requirements. There are plenty of beautiful spots to enjoy it by the lake or within the venue itself.
Here's where it'll all happen...
Adjacent to the beautiful Lake Monger, Telethon Speech and Hearing's Bendat Parent and Community Centre is easily accessible from the freeway, has disability access, heaps of free parking and lots of public transport options too.
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Meet our stellar lineup of presenters
Check out their bio's below
Meet Nicole Pates and Georgia Storey
Nicole is a highly experienced paediatric physiotherapist with a passion for supporting motor development in babies and toddlers. With over 15 years of expertise, she has a deep understanding of early childhood development and specialises in helping parents navigate the complexities of motor milestones and play. Focusing on connection before correction, Nicole empowers educators and parents to create nurturing, movement-rich environments.
Georgia is a passionate, engaging and driven paediatric physiotherapist, currently completing her Master’s in Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy. She brings energy, motivation, and fun to her work, dedicated to helping children reach their full potential by working closely with families and educators to support the development of gross motor skills in babies and toddlers, using a dynamic, play-based approach.
Meet Trudi Bennett
Trudi is the co-founder of Educated by Nature (established 2014), studied both Sustainable Development and Education and has worked with a variety of organisations in education, science communication, community development and the arts. Trudi has trained in the Art of Mentoring nature connection philosophy and uses her own experience in deep nature connection and grief work to assist children to discover deep nature connection routines which support healthy inner-wellbeing and community.
Meet Amanda Derbyshire
As a sport and exercise scientist and researcher at UWA, Amanda has overseen the development, delivery and rollout of KIDDO from its inception in 2014 to where it is now. She is at the forefront of physical literacy implementation in Australia and has led the development of KIDDO's world-leading and proven professional development the 'Certificate of Physical Literacy'.
Amanda is renowned for her expertise in practical and effective methods that educators and coaches can use to help children develop gross motor skills and fundamental movement skills through teaching and the encouragement of active play.
Meet Allison King
Allison has a Bachelor of Science (Human Movement) and a Graduate Diploma of Education (Physical Education and Science) and brings over 10 years teaching experience to the KIDDO team. She has taught in rural, government, private and catholic schools and has also supervised preservice teachers. Allison is particularly passionate about developing fundamental movement skills and upskilling teachers and educators to deliver quality programs in schools and early learning services.
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Proudly supported by Healthway
Healthway are proud supporters of KIDDO and have kindly partnered with us to bring this event to you.