The Speld Kindy Inclusion Service offers free professional development workshops for all Queensland Approved Kindergarten centres. Designed with Kindy educators in mind, our workshops are filled with practical, hands-on strategies that can be applied to everyday contexts. While targeted to Kindy teams, all educators are welcome to attend and will benefit from the strategies shared.

Workshops can be delivered in person or live online. We are flexible to run them during the day or in the evening—whichever suits your team best. The workshops run between 1 hour to 1 ½ hours depending on the topic.

Your centre must be registered with us to access this service. To register, please click here.

Click on the workshops below to learn more:

The bridge to literacy is an important journey that children walk, each in their own way. Educators in early childhood play a vital role in supporting children as they begin to explore language and literacy skills in authentic, play-based environments. This workshop will give an overview of six critical areas for literacy development, giving examples of practical application of these skills. It will also focus on what can impact literacy acquisition and help educators reflect on their current practice.

Phonological awareness, particularly phonemic awareness, is critical to the development of effective early literacy skills. It is a strong predictor of later literacy success. This workshop will develop participants’ understanding of the range of phonological skills and how to support phonological development with a play-based approach. It is a ‘hands on’ workshop designed to explore practical ways phonological awareness can be embedded into their daily programs.

This workshop provides an overview of language development in early childhood, with a focus on understanding how children acquire and use language as they grow. It explores the key factors that influence language development to help educators recognise and better understand when children may require additional support. Participants will be introduced to practical, play-based strategies that can be embedded in everyday routines and learning experiences. These strategies foster a rich language environment and support children’s communication skills in the early learning setting.

This workshop offers educators insight into how children develop their speech sounds, including knowledge of milestones and factors that influence speech sound development. We will explore strategies and play-based activities that can be used in both 1:1 interactions and whole-group learning experiences to support all children in their speech development. We will highlight a variety of online and physical resources suitable for Kindy environments.

Developing vocabulary is a critical component of early language and literacy development. A strong and growing vocabulary gives children the tools to express themselves, engage with new ideas, and build a foundation for lifelong learning. This workshop enhances educators' understanding of the role vocabulary plays in language and literacy development. It offers practical, evidence-based strategies for embedding vocabulary learning into everyday routines, play experiences, and intentional interactions.

Exploring picture books together in the Early Years fosters a love of storytelling and develops critical language and literacy skills. This workshop will give educators a range of practical strategies to apply to their before-, during-, and after- reading practices to enhance engagement and learning during shared book reading experiences. We will explore a range of high-quality picture books and associated resources available from Speld Qld’s free Kindy library and the Books from Douglas program.

This practical workshop explores how using visual aids (including Key Word Sign and picture-based tools) can support children’s communication. Visuals are such a powerful tool for building understanding, reducing frustration, and supporting all children in their language development. Through fun, hands-on activities, you will explore using visuals in play and everyday routines to create inclusive, language-rich environments that support every child’s communication.

Being numerate is the capacity and confidence to use mathematics in daily life. This workshop is a hands-on session designed for Kindy educators to explore the Numeracy overview within the QKLG. We discuss the importance of mathematical vocabulary and how we can support ALL children to access learning opportunities in everyday routines. We model play-based problem solving, ensuring mathematical ideas that children interact with are relevant and meaningful. Educators will feel empowered to create inclusive, language rich environments that support all children’s numeracy development.

This workshop is specifically designed for educators working in multicultural and multilingual early learning environments. It aims to shed light on the intricacies of multilingual language development in children, emphasising the unique experiences and opportunities presented within educational settings. Grounded in evidence-based research, the workshop provides participants with a deeper understanding of how children acquire multiple languages and what to expect during the process of multilingual language development. In addition, participants will gain practical strategies for effectively supporting multilingual learners in their classrooms.