Early Parenting Practice (Unit 2)

Put theory into practice and boost your confidence with this short course that complements our Early Parenting Fundamentals short course. You'll learn through a series of simulations, observations, hands-on practice, with face-to-face tutorials, workshops and panels.

REGISTER HERE

SEMESTER MODEL

31 JULY – 6 NOVEMBER 2026

Course delivery:
A combination of 8 synchronous online tutorials, weekly on Friday mornings, plus one full-day of on-site workshops/simulations and one day of on-site practical assessments*.

OR

INTENSIVE MODEL

18 – 22 JANUARY 2027

Course delivery:
A combination of 8 online tutorials over 4 days, plus one day of on-site workshops, and one day of on-site practical assessments*

Bespoke intensive model course dates can be arranged for organisations enrolling groups of 10 or more. Please email us for more information.

*All onsite activities are at the Queen Elizabeth Centre, Noble Park.

Course fees

With assessment:
$3,500 (GST-free)

Without assessment:
$2,750 (incl. GST)

Program contact

shortcourses.depm@monash.edu

Phone: +61 3 9903 0289

Terms and Conditions

Course registration closes one week prior to the course commencement date.

Completion of or enrolment in Early Parenting Fundamentals (Unit 1) is a prerequisite for enrolment in this unit.

Proudly delivered in conjunction with Victoria’s leading Early Parenting Centre, Queen Elizabeth Centre, our Early Parenting courses are ideal for a wide range of government, education system, health, and social care professionals whose work regularly focuses on children under 4 years old and their parents/carers.

This course can be taken with or without an assessment component.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Critically analyse and synthesise relevant empirical evidence in relation to systems and ecological theories to describe the influences and impacts on child health outcomes specific to early parenting.
  • Critically review and critique a variety of literature to evaluate why the first 1000 days are critical for a child's cognitive, social, emotional and physical growth and development.
  • Apply evidence-informed information and strategies relating to infant/child sleep and settling when supporting parenting.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-informed, age-appropriate play-based learning that promotes early childhood development, and the transmission of this knowledge to parents of young children.
  • Recognise and understand infant and toddler cues and transmit this knowledge when supporting parents/carers to engage and respond appropriately to their child's needs using evidence-informed approaches.
  • Apply the evidence that informs child safety in the context of child abuse, neglect and harm, and apply this knowledge to ensure child safety and respond to child safety concerns.

Required

Course outline

Topic 1: Early parenting practice: what, why, where and how (3 hours)

Topic 2: Parent and family health in early parenting (3 hours)

Topic 3: Infant and child health and growth (3 hours)

Topic 4: Infant and child nutrition and dietary habits (3 hours)

Topic 5: Creating safe early parenting environments (3 hours)

Topic 6: Infant and child cues and states, behaviour and modulation in early parenting (3 hours)

Topic 7: Infant and child sleep and settling behaviours (3 hours)

Topic 8: Child development, behaviour and play in the early parenting (3 hours)

Workshops/Simulations: Translation of knowledge into practice through simulation and workshops (on-site, 7 hours)

Who should attend?

This course is relevant to a wide range of professionals, including but not limited to EPC employees, maternal child health nurses, early childhood educators, midwives and paediatric nurses, paediatricians, kindergarten teachers, Department of Education, local government (family and children's services, playgroups, libraries, kindergartens, child protection etc.), family services, mental health workers, students already doing a TAFE/University Course in a related field i.e. not already working in the field.

Accelerate your qualification

Eligible participants who complete the micro-credential (short course with assessment) can receive 6 credit points of unspecified credit* towards the future Graduate Certificate of Early Parenting.

*Maximum credit limits and minimum course entry requirements apply, see the terms and conditions page for more details

For more details please contact shortcourses.depm@monash.edu

Course partner

This course is a partnership between Monash University and Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC).

Course facilitators

While the information contained herein was correct at the date of publication, Monash University reserves the right to alter procedures, fees and regulations should the need arise.