Challenging behaviours in early childhood can disrupt learning, impact relationships, and create stress for educators and children alike. This online professional development course provides practical, evidence-based strategies to help you manage these situations with confidence and create calmer, more positive learning environments.
Through a focus on understanding the causes of behaviour, applying positive behaviour guidance techniques, and strengthening relationships with children and families, you will gain the tools to respond effectively and support every child’s social and emotional development.
Key topics include:
Understanding child development and the factors that influence behaviour
Implementing effective classroom management strategies in ECEC settings
Using positive reinforcement and behaviour guidance techniques to encourage desired behaviours
Building strong, respectful relationships with children and families
Managing challenging behaviours in inclusive early childhood environments
Designed for both experienced educators and those new to the sector, this course aligns with the National Quality Standard (Quality Area 5) and supports the creation of safe, respectful, and engaging learning spaces where every child can thrive.
This course is designed for early childhood professionals and caregivers who want to strengthen their ability to manage challenging behaviours, promote positive relationships, and create inclusive, supportive learning environments.
It is ideal for:
Early Childhood Teachers and Educators seeking strategies to guide behaviour positively, encourage social skills, and maintain a calm, productive classroom.
Childcare Workers and Assistants who want practical tools to respond to behaviours in a calm, consistent, and constructive way.
Directors, Coordinators, and Educational Leaders aiming to embed effective behaviour guidance strategies across their service to support NQS Quality Area 5.
Special Education Teachers and Support Staff who need targeted approaches for children with complex needs and challenging behaviours in inclusive settings.
Parents and Caregivers looking to understand the causes of challenging behaviour and apply practical strategies at home.
Whether you are new to the sector or an experienced educator refining your practice, this course will equip you with knowledge and techniques that can be applied across early childhood settings to create safe, respectful, and engaging environments.
This course has been designed by our learning design team to meet the needs of busy early childhood professionals. The content is practical, evidence-based, and ready to be applied in real early learning environments.
Participants can complete the course at their own pace, with the option to progress in a single sitting or spread the modules over multiple sessions.
The course covers:
Course Introduction – setting goals and understanding the focus of the training
Uncovering Hidden Needs – identifying the underlying causes of challenging behaviour and responding effectively
Promoting Positive Behaviour Choices – strategies to encourage desired behaviours through positive guidance
Being a “Lifeguard” for Behaviour – recognising early signs of escalation and intervening before behaviour becomes disruptive
Building Connections – fostering strong, respectful relationships that support positive behaviour and learning outcomes
Emotion Coaching – helping children recognise, understand, and manage their emotions
The ABC of Behavioural Analysis – analysing antecedents, behaviours, and consequences to inform responses
End-of-Course Quiz – reinforcing learning and checking understanding
Course Summary and Reflection – reviewing key strategies and planning next steps for practice
By the end of the course, participants will have a toolkit of practical strategies for guiding behaviour, creating calm and inclusive learning spaces, and building strong relationships with children and families.
Challenging behaviours can impact a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, as well as the overall classroom environment. When children struggle to regulate emotions or engage in positive behaviours, it can disrupt learning for both the child and their peers.
Addressing challenging behaviours early supports the goals of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Standard (NQS), particularly Quality Area 5: Relationships with Children. Our Challenging Behaviours course equips educators with strategies to:
Improve Child Outcomes – Help children develop social skills, strengthen self-regulation, and enhance engagement with learning experiences.
Create Positive Learning Environments – Build classrooms that feel safe, inclusive, and supportive, enabling all children to participate and succeed.
Strengthen Educator Wellbeing – Reduce stress and burnout by using effective behaviour guidance techniques, increasing job satisfaction and retention.
Enhance Family Partnerships – Involve families in behaviour support planning, ensuring a consistent approach between home and the service.
By embedding these strategies into everyday practice, educators can create learning environments where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
This course provides practical, evidence-based strategies to help early childhood educators respond to and manage challenging behaviours in ways that support positive learning outcomes. It focuses on understanding the underlying causes of behaviour, applying positive guidance techniques, preventing escalation, and building strong relationships with children and families. The content aligns with the National Quality Standard (Quality Area 5: Relationships with Children) and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), making it relevant for all ECEC settings.
The course is designed for early childhood educators, teachers, assistants, directors, and educational leaders who want to improve their ability to manage challenging behaviours in childcare and preschool settings. It is also valuable for special education staff, inclusion support educators, and even parents or caregivers seeking practical tools to support children’s social and emotional development.
You will learn how to identify the triggers and underlying needs behind challenging behaviours, apply proactive strategies to prevent issues before they escalate, and use positive guidance techniques to support children in making better choices. By implementing these strategies, you can create a calmer, safer, and more inclusive learning environment that benefits both children and educators.
Yes. While the course focuses on overall strategies for positive behaviour guidance, it also addresses common challenging behaviours seen in early childhood settings, such as physical aggression, verbal outbursts, non-compliance, and social withdrawal. You will learn how to respond to these behaviours in ways that are consistent, respectful, and effective.
Absolutely. Many strategies in this course are adaptable for children with additional needs or disabilities. The training supports inclusive practices and provides approaches that can be used alongside individual behaviour support plans or guidance from allied health professionals.
The course is self-paced and can be completed in a single sitting in around 1 hour, or broken into shorter sessions to fit your schedule. All content is available online, and you can return to any module at any time during your access period to refresh your learning.
Yes. Upon completion of the course and final quiz, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. This can be used as evidence of professional development for your service’s records, your QIP, or to meet annual PD requirements.
The course is delivered entirely online through our easy-to-use learning platform. You can access it from any device — desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone — and learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere in Australia.
Yes. The course directly supports Quality Area 5 (Relationships with Children) and also links to Quality Area 4 (Staffing Arrangements) and Quality Area 1 (Educational Program and Practice). Implementing the strategies learned can help improve practice and demonstrate your service’s commitment to positive behaviour guidance.
Yes. We offer group enrolment options so your whole team can learn the same strategies and create a consistent approach to behaviour guidance across your service. Consistency is key in reducing challenging behaviours and improving outcomes for children.
Yes. All strategies are practical and designed to be applied in real early learning environments. From day one, you will have tools you can use to prevent behaviour issues, de-escalate situations, and support positive social and emotional growth.
Educators who complete the course often report calmer classrooms, improved relationships with children, increased confidence in responding to behaviours, and a stronger ability to support social and emotional learning. These improvements can also reduce educator stress and improve retention.
If a child’s behaviour puts themselves or others at risk, your priority is safety. This course teaches proactive strategies to reduce the likelihood of unsafe behaviour and provides step-by-step approaches to de-escalating situations calmly and effectively. You will learn how to respond without escalating the child’s emotions, how to maintain a safe environment, and how to follow up in a way that supports long-term behaviour change.
Persistent non-compliance can be challenging and exhausting for educators. The course covers techniques for identifying the root causes of defiance, adjusting your approach to gain cooperation, and using positive reinforcement to build trust and encourage desired behaviours. These strategies are designed to work in busy early childhood environments and with a variety of personality types.
When one child’s behaviour impacts the learning and wellbeing of others, it can quickly affect the whole classroom dynamic. In this course, you will learn how to manage group settings while supporting the individual child’s needs. Strategies include setting clear expectations, structuring transitions, using proactive cues, and re-engaging children in positive activities before situations escalate.
Yes. The techniques taught in this course are designed for early childhood educators working with children from birth to school entry. They focus on developmentally appropriate approaches that help even very young children build self-regulation skills and positive behaviour habits. The course includes examples for toddlers and preschoolers so you can adapt strategies for your specific age group.
Join us now and unlock a world of opportunities. Don’t wait – start your transformative journey today!
Making Education acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first people of the nation and the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and play. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and families and recognise their continuing connection to Culture, Land, Water, and Community and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. Making Education celebrates and welcomes people from all cultures, religions, spiritualities, ages, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities & backgrounds and will ensure that all children and their families will be supported to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights.
