Early Parenting Practice - PDM1180

Students can choose to complete this short course either through a semester-based format delivered over 15 weeks, or through an intensive format delivered across 5 full days.

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.

For further information, please refer to the short course homepage.

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 & Children Services, Playgroups, Libraries, Kindergartens, Child Protection etc.), Family Services, Mental Health workers, Students doing a TAFE/University Course in a related field already i.e. not already working in the field.

What you will learn

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 and child sleep and settling when supporting parenting.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-informed, age-appropriate play-based learning that promotes early childhood development, and transmit this knowledge to parents of young children.
  • Recognise and understand infant and toddler cues, and transmit this knowledge when supporting parents and 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 use this knowledge to ensure child safety and respond appropriately to child safety concerns.

Program structure

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 early parenting (3 hours)

Course delivery: Semester model
Week no.Topic
Week 1 Topic 1
Week 2 Topic 2
Week 3 Topic 3
Week 4 Topic 4
Week 5 Self-directed assessment preparation
Week 6 Assessment online
Week 7 Topic 5
Week 8 Topic 6
Week 9 Mid-semester break
Week 10 Topic 7
Week 11 Topic 8
Week 12 On-site workshops/simulations
Week 13 Self-directed assessment preparation
Week 14 On-site assessments × 2
Week 15 Self-directed assessment preparation
Course delivery: Intensive model
Week no.Topic
Day 1 Topics 1 & 2
Day 2 Topics 3 & 4
Day 3 Topics 5 & 6
Day 4 Topics 7 & 8
Day 5 On-site workshops and simulations

Testimonials

From a student

“I’m fairly new to the early parenting space, so it’s been really good to reinforce a lot of things, expand my resources and gain a deeper understanding of the theory. It has helped me reflect on my practice and identify areas where I can continue to improve.”

From an organisation

“They’ve shared very positive reflections on the course, particularly how effectively they can apply their learning in practice. Thank you for your flexibility in supporting our team to access the course and for facilitating a smaller group model.”

Accelerate your qualification

Eligible participants who complete the micro-credential can receive 6 credit points of unspecified credit towards the future Graduate Certificate of Early Parenting.

Note: Successful completion of a micro-credential does not guarantee admission into an award course. Prospective students must meet the eligibility and admission requirements for the award course. A micro-credential can only be used as credit towards a single degree on one occasion, and is valid for 7 years.

For more details please email pgradenq@monash.edu or shortcourses.depm@monash.edu

Dr Mandy O'Connor

Dr Mandy O’Connor is a Developmental Psychologist with expertise in Intervention Mapping, Implementation Science, evaluations and program, framework and model development. Her research interests include parenting, parent-child relationships, child development, family violence, disability, and women’s health and wellbeing.

She developed the Victorian Early Parenting Centres Outcomes Framework for the Victorian Government Department of Health and is leading the implementation of the framework across Victoria.

Dr O’Connor works as a research-in-residence with Monash’s Health and Social Care Unit (HSCU) industry partners, embedded in organisations, to ensure the translation of knowledge and research reaches clinicians, practitioners, co-ordinators and managers across the organisation. Her strength is building relationships with partners and across sectors and disciplines

Helen Cunningham (QEC)

Helen is a registered general nurse and midwife with post graduate qualifications in Management, Neonatal Intensive Care, Training and Assessment, Child, Family and Community Nursing and Master in Public Health.

Helen has worked as a MCH Nurse, in clinical and senior roles across local and state government for 20 years. In 2017 Helen commenced as Director of Nursing and Clinical Services at the Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC), Victoria’s leading Early Parenting Centre (EPC).

Since 2021, Helen has been QEC Director of Clinical Innovation and Development, leading the development of the Victorian EPC Outcomes Framework, Clinical Practice Guidance and Training and Development to support the rapidly expanding EPC sector.

Learn more about the program's terms and conditions.

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