Fostering Wellbeing Event
A full day event on Saturday 3rd May 2025, in Melbourne for Early Childhood Educators
Overview and Summary
Fostering Wellbeing equips educators with research-backed strategies to nurture children’s emotional, physical, and social wellbeing. Delving deeper into needs represented in the Phoenix Cups Framework, each session dives into safety, connection, autonomy, mastery, and fun. Presented by the experienced facilitation team at Phoenix Support for Educators, this day is packed with powerful and practical tools to create inclusive, emotionally supportive environments that empower children to thrive while fostering educator reflection and resilience.
Your presenters
Sandi Phoenix
Presentation:
The Phoenix Cups overview
Briana Thorne
Presentation:
Cup filling for Safety & Connection
Mastering the Mastery Cup
Linda Price
Nature Pedagogy Leader
Presentation:
Fun & Freedom Cup filling in natural education and care spaces
Program
8:00am – 8:30am: Registrations
8:30am – 8:45am: Welcome and Housekeeping
8:45am – 10:00am: Session 1 – "The Phoenix Cups Framework: A Foundation for Wellbeing"
Presenter: Sandi Phoenix
Introduction to the Phoenix Cups Framework, exploring the theoretical underpinnings of needs-driven behaviour. This session will set the stage for understanding how the framework applies to emotional, physical, and relational wellbeing. Participants are new to the framework will identify their own needs profiles and discuss practical applications for both educators and children. Participants who are experienced with the framework will hear from Sandi Phoenix about recent developments and alignments to current research and neuroscience.
10:00am – 10:30am: Morning Tea Break
10:30am – 12:00pm: Session 2 - Filling the Safety and Connection Cups
Presenter: Briana Thorne
This session will focus on strategies to support children’s needs for security and belonging.
- Safety Cup: Explore emotional and physical safety, predictability, and trust-building activities.
- Connection Cup: Discover how relationships foster belonging and how to create environments that nurture meaningful connections.
12:00pm – 12:45pm: Lunch Break
12:45pm – 2:15pm: Session 3 - Filling the Fun and Freedom Cups
Presenter: Linda Price
Dive into strategies for encouraging playfulness and autonomy.
Fun Cup: Explore the critical role of joy, creativity, and engagement in children's wellbeing.
Freedom Cup: Discuss autonomy, choice, and how to support children in feeling capable and in control of their experiences.
2:15pm – 2:45pm: Afternoon Tea Break
2:45pm – 3:45pm: Session 4 - Filling the Mastery Cup
Presenter: Briana Thorne
Conclude the day by exploring the importance of competence and achievement. This session will cover:
Supporting children to develop skills that enhance self-efficacy.
Building resilience and fostering intrinsic motivation.
Practical ways to celebrate progress and growth.
3:45pm – 4:30pm: Panel Discussion and Q&A
Integrating Wellbeing into Practice
Panellists: Sandi Phoenix, Briana Thorne, Linda Price, and invited guest speakers
A facilitated discussion reflecting on the day’s themes. Attendees can ask questions, share insights, and collaborate on strategies to implement strategies in their settings.
4:30pm: Close of Event