Charles Sturt University in Albury-Wodonga has introduced a new series of free workshops aimed at promoting emotionally safe and inclusive environments in early childhood education and community settings.
The initiative, called The Holding Space program, is designed to support educators, allied health professionals, academics, and community workers in adopting trauma-informed practices. The workshops blend research-based frameworks with hands-on strategies to help participants understand the impact of trauma and stress on young children, while learning ways to foster healing, connection, and regulation.
Dr Sheena Elwick, a Senior Lecturer at the Charles Sturt School of Education, leads the program. She said the workshops go beyond traditional early childhood education.
“At its heart, the Holding Space program is about building respectful and emotionally safe communities, starting with the adults,” Dr Elwick explained.
The program was created by a diverse team of experts from different fields, including early childhood education, research, play therapy, counselling, physiotherapy, general practice, and social work. Each brings their professional expertise and lived experience to the project.
Participants explore the link between trauma, stress, and brain development. Workshops offer practical activities, reflection opportunities, and tools grounded in models like the Neurosequential Model, a framework developed to understand how the brain processes experiences.
The 2025 calendar includes six evening workshops and a full-day symposium in October to mark Children’s Week. Topics covered so far have included the power of connection in brain development, the effects of stress on both children and adults, and strategies based on the Neurosequential Model.
Ms Emma McQualter, an Educational Leader and Early Childhood Teacher at Ross Circuit Preschool, praised the program after attending several sessions.
“It has helped me reflect on my practice and how we can better support children who are experiencing trauma,” she said.
“One important thing I’ve learned is that connection doesn’t have to be big. A small gesture like a smile or acknowledging what a child says can help them feel seen. I’ve also started using the ‘regulate, relate, reason’ approach, reminding colleagues that we can’t reason with a child who is dysregulated.”
The program draws inspiration from ‘Dadirri’, a First Nations practice of deep listening gifted by Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann. This approach honours the complexity of trauma and highlights the importance of community wisdom and empathy.
Workshops are held at Charles Sturt’s Albury-Wodonga campus and are open to the public at no cost. The program also offers online access to workshop materials and facilitator notes to support broader sharing and implementation.
Dr Elwick encouraged anyone interested to participate.
“This is an invitation to join us, to feel seen and supported, and to be part of a community that understands working with trauma takes heart,” she said.
“Healing happens when we create spaces of respect, care and connection.”
Upcoming Workshops:
- Tuesday 10 June – Regulating yourself and the room
- Tuesday 15 July – Educator strategies
- Tuesday 19 August – Family communication
- Saturday 18 October – Full-day Symposium (Children’s Week)
For more information and access to workshop content, visit Charles Sturt University’s Holding Space program page.
