The document summarizes a presentation on using Strengths Based Learning (SBL) in early childhood. The presentation introduces SBL and explains why it is important for developing children's identity, wellbeing, and resilience. It discusses cultivating a growth mindset and positive states in children. Specific SBL activities are provided that focus on identifying strengths, celebrating effort and mistakes, developing gratitude, and building on children's natural talents. The presentation emphasizes applying SBL in early childhood settings to help children become confident learners and effective communicators.

1. Concurrent Session Three 1.40 – 2.40
Language and Identity
presented by Ariadne Lack

3. Welcome to C&K V1.015 © This document is the property of C&KPage 3
Using Strengths Based Learning
in Early Childhood to
deepen children’s
Identity, Wellbeing & Resilience.
Ariadne Lack
Wellbeing & Resilience Psychologist
ariadne@humanendeavours.com.au

4. Connecting to purpose

5. 1. What is SBL?
2. Why use SBL in EC?
3. How you can use SBL in your
work.
A Successful Session

6. GROWTH
MINDSET
POSITIVE
STATES
STRENGTHS
What is Strengths Based Learning?
Mistakes
Curiosity
Success
=
Effort
Inner
Voice
Focus
&
Manage
WWW
&
Why?
Build
&
Bank
Light
Up
Connect
Grow

7. Why Strengths Based Learning?
Early Years Learning
Framework ( EYLF )
Belonging, Being, Becoming
C&K Early Childhood Curriculum
Framework
Connecting, Enlarging, Listening and Exploring
It’s your….

8. GROWTH
MINDSET
Mistake = Curiosity
Success = Effort
Inner Voice
Why is GMS important?
• Largest factor in learning & success
• Assumption we can all learn, grow if we
work hard, practice, get help & stick at it!
• Acts like a GPS, directs effort & behaviour
Benefits of GMS?
• Persist with challenges, set backs prompt
curiosity & increased effort, success
How can I foster a GMS in my children?
• Re-language effort, failure and success
• Teach children their brain is like a muscle
• Praise effort and approach over result

9. Automatic Negative Thoughts Growth Mindset Alternatives
I can’t do it Yet!
This is too hard What am I missing?
Change your Thoughts = Change your Mindset

10. Automatic Negative Thoughts Growth Mindset Alternatives
I can’t do it Yet!
This is too hard What am I missing?
I give up This may take some time & effort
I got it wrong Mistakes help me learn
Change your Thoughts = Change your Mindset

11. Automatic Negative Thoughts Growth Mindset Alternatives
I can’t do it Yet!
This is too hard What am I missing?
I give up This may take some time & effort
I got it wrong Mistakes help me learn
Help me Well done for asking for help
You do it Let’s do it together. What
strategies will we need to use?
Change your Thoughts = Change your Mindset

12. Growth Mindset Activities
Celebrate mistakes & Praise children for choosing HARD
over easy
Let them know their brain is just like a muscle and they just made it
stronger. Point out the strategies & strengths they used.
Growth Mindset Songs e.g. Sesame Street
The Power of Yet, Don’t Give Up, Persistent, I have a GO!
Catch the ANTs! (Automatic Negative Thoughts)
You can help your kids be on the lookout for ANTs and have
conversations about more helpful statements. Create a visual list of
alternative

13. One Idea. 60 Seconds. GO!

14. What’s been the highlight of your day?

15. Emotion are signpost to action…
…which signposts are you following?

16. POSITIVE
STATES
Why focus on Positive States?
• Neurologically primes us for learning,
connect & tune in = stronger relationships
Benefits of cultivating Positive States
• Balances negativity bias
• Builds & banks resources
• Perspective: Big emotions are not forever
How can I cultivate Positive States?
• Create routines and rituals which
shift attentional focus e.g.
savouring, gratitude, mindfulness etc

17. Positive States Activities
Mat, Snack & Highlights - End of day conversations
Mindful Moments for the Senses - Use existing pauses and
transitions to connect children with all five of their senses –
e.g. heading outside, rest time, eating lunch
Thank you hands, thank you feet, thank you body – A
loving kindness practice for young bodies.

18. One Idea. 60 Seconds. GO!

19. Strengths Approach
“Focuses on identifying and
understanding what children are
naturally good at and what they do
when they thrive — before we focus
on their weaknesses.”
Lea Waters Phd

20. What are Strengths?
“Your strengths represents
the way your
brain is wired to
perform at its best.”
Donald Clifton
Clifton Strengths Finder

21. STRENGTHS
Light up
Connect
Grow
Why focus on Strengths?
• Wellbeing, learning success, identity,
positive behaviours, decreased
psychological distress
What is a Strength?
• Strengths light us up
• Use, Energy, Performance
How can I build on my Strengths focus ?
• Focusing on where kids thrive before we
focus on their short comings and
weaknesses

22. Does having a
strengths focus
mean ignoring
children’s
weaknesses?

23. Energy
They feel
good doing it
Performance
They are good at it
Use
They choose
to do it
UEP - Three signs a strength is in use

24. Strengths Activities
Strengths Spotting - When does a child “light up”?
Name, explain & grow.
Story Time - Bravery, Curiosity, Judgement Curiosity, Zest
At Pick Up - Describe how their child used one of their strengths today

25. One Idea. 60 Seconds. GO!

26. An approach to living, learning and teaching that communicates: GROWTH MINDSET POSITIVE STATES
1. Children as competent and capable
2. Families as each child’s first and primary educator
3. Teachers as knowledgeable and respected
educators of young children
4. Early childhood education and care settings as
inclusive and sustainable living and learning
communities
contributions to Building Waterfalls

27. GROWTH MINDSET POSITIVE STATES
1. Children have a strong sense of identity
2. Children are connected with and contribute to
their world
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
4. Children are confident and involved learners
5. Children are effective communicators
contributions to EYLDF outcomes

28. Recap
• Why focus on SBL in Early Childhood? Because it matters!
• Helps children develop a strong sense of identity, become
resilient learners & lay foundations for wellbeing by
cultivating children’s:
GROWTH MINDSET POSITIVE STATES
• Now all you need to do is put it into action!

29. A call to Action!
Pick one SBL activity
you will play with
next week.

30. Ariadne Lack,
Wellbeing & Resilience Psychologist
ariadne@humanendeavours.com.au /
www.humanendeavours.com.au
Human Endeavours