Giving young children what they really need to succeed: Responding to the diversity of developmental and behavioural needs in today’s international schools.

Join me for an exciting, research informed THREE DAY EVENT exploring how to support the full range of developmental needs in children aged 2-7 years

Across three inspiring days, we'll focus on building strong relationships, supporting emotional regulation, and creating language rich, inclusive environments. You'll explore how play, curiosity, and executive-functioning shape learning and you'll go away with clear high-impact strategies to help every child thrive, whatever their starting point. 

Perfect for leaders, and teachers seeking meaningful play-based approaches that improve behaviour, wellbeing and learning outcomes for children in the early years and KS1.

Target Audience:

• Those working with children from 2-5 years, as well as those working in KS1 who are seeking practical and play-based ways to support children’s foundational development and learning.  

• Senior Leaders, Early Years/KS1 Leaders, Year Group Leaders, Curriculum Leads, Pastoral Leads, SENCos and Subject Leads looking for high-impact strategies to improve behaviour and outcomes through developmentally appropriate approaches.

Date: Friday 24 October – Sunday 26^th October

Time: 9.30 am – 3.30pm

Venue: British School of Kuala Lumpur

Cost: 3000 MYR per delegate for all three days

1000 MYR for one day only

To get the full benefit of the conference, it is recommended, but by no means essential, that teachers and leaders attend all three days, as each session builds on the previous one to give a complete picture.

However, each day will be fully accessible as a stand-alone session and you are welcome to attend individual days, which can be booked separately.

Further Information

It is now well established that certain aspects of child development are vital for long-term learning, wellbeing, and success. At the same time, a much clearer picture has emerged of the growing diversity post-covid in children’s social, emotional, linguistic, physical, and cognitive development as they enter school. This is especially true in international settings, where shifts in global mobility have also brought a wider range of cultural backgrounds, home languages, and early life experiences into the classroom.

This timely conference responds to that reality. Rather than relying on short-term, narrow interventions, it will champion inclusive, developmentally informed approaches that recognise and build upon each child’s starting points, and lead to sustained progress, in all areas, including mathematics and literacy.

Kym will draw on her 35 years of experience in early education, much of it spent supporting young children whose skills, behaviours, and developmental profiles differ significantly from age-related expectations.

Rooted in up-to-date theory and research, she will provide practical, pragmatic advice around strong, sustainable foundations for ALL children’s learning, delivered in her usual engaging, warm and humorous manner using case studies, photos, and videos to exemplify both what this can look like in practice and the impact for children.

Day 1 will focus on relationships, regulation, and school-readiness – the essential social, emotional, physical, and communicative foundations for learning. You’ll explore how to recognise and respond to the wide variation in children’s early development and behaviour, build strong, trusting relationships, and create emotionally safe, language-rich environments where all children can settle, connect, and thrive.

Day 2 will focus on thinking, playing and perseverance – the executive functioning and “learning to learn” skills children need to become curious, independent, and resilient learners. You’ll explore how play, real experiences and responsive interactions can strengthen attention, memory, independence, self-regulation, and flexible thinking, laying the groundwork for future success across the curriculum.

Day 3 will turn the lens to leadership - whether you’re a class teacher leading a tiny team or a middle or senior leader. The focus will be on how to shape, articulate, and truly bring to life a clear, inclusive vision for supporting all children, especially those who have been central to the conference discussions. You’ll explore how to move from intention to impactful implementation, ensuring the vision is not just a statement but a practical tool for guiding, sharing, self-evaluating, and continuously improving everyday practice.

By the end of the conference, delegates will leave with renewed confidence and inspiration, a deeper and updated understanding of child development, and a powerful toolkit of strategies to help ensure - or lead others in ensuring - that every child is truly ready to learn, whatever their starting point.

Participants will:

• Revisit essential principles of brain development in the early years, with a particular focus on executive functioning and self-regulation, and how these are shaped by adults, environments, and experiences.
• Explore research findings on what has the greatest impact on children’s attention, behaviour, language, and learning.
• Consider effective ways to partner with families and nannies to deepen understanding of children’s developmental needs and encourage meaningful support at home.
• Gain a toolkit of practical approaches to help children strengthen the Core Conditions for Cognitive Development:

Connected and Confident – Feeling safe, seen, and secure within their environment, forming trusting relationships that foster belonging.

Calm and Concentrating – Being emotionally regulated and able to focus, engage, and persist with learning experiences.

Co-operating and Collaborating – Learning how to work with others, follow shared expectations, and contribute to a group.

Communicating and Comprehending – Using and understanding language to express thoughts, connect with others, and make sense of the world.

Co-ordinated and Competent – Developing core strength, balance, and fine motor control essential for wellbeing, independence, and academic tasks.

Curious and Creative – Driven by a desire to explore, experiment, ask questions, and generate original ideas.

Capable and Courageous – Building self-belief, independence, and the confidence to take learning risks, make mistakes, and try again.

Who is it for?

• Those working with children from 2-5 years, as well as those working in KS1 who are seeking practical and play-based ways to support children’s foundational development and learning.  
• Senior Leaders, Early Years/KS1 Leaders, Year Group Leaders, Curriculum Leads, Pastoral Leads, SENCos and Subject Leads looking for high-impact strategies to improve behaviour and outcomes through developmentally appropriate approaches.