• Janine Kelly | Author of The Connected Child |

    Early Childhood Consultant

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    Signature Keynote Presentation

    Connection at the Heart of Practice

    Transforming Early Childhood Through Relationships, Research and Reflective Pedagogy

  • Drawing on her published work The Connected Child: Exploring Schemas, Multiliteracies and Digital Play in Early Learning, alongside current research in child development and contemporary pedagogy, Janine explores how connection, co-learning and innovative approaches can transform the way educators understand children, curriculum and practice.

    Through storytelling, research-informed practice and real-world examples, Janine demonstrates how children’s agency, voice and identity flourish when educators move beyond delivering experiences and begin creating learning alongside children.

    Her keynote presentations invite educators and leaders to challenge assumptions, embrace reflective thinking and bridge the gap between research and everyday practice, creating environments where children, educators and communities can thrive.

    CONNECT • REGULATE • GUIDE • REFLECT

    Engaging. Reflective.

    Practice-Changing Keynote.

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    What Janine Brings to Speaking Engagements

    Janine Kelly delivers engaging keynote presentations and professional learning experiences that create space for educators and leaders to pause, reflect and see practice through a new lens.

    Known for her ability to translate research into practical strategies, Janine creates sessions that are thought-provoking, interactive and grounded in the everyday realities of early childhood education.

    Rather than simply sharing information, Janine creates opportunities for educators to explore ideas, challenge thinking and leave with practical approaches they can apply within their own learning communities.

    Her presentations weave together:

    🌿 current research and practical application
    🌿 reflective conversations that inspire growth
    🌿 engaging storytelling and real-world examples
    🌿 strategies educators can implement beyond the session
    🌿 opportunities for deeper professional thinking and change

    Through every keynote and workshop, Janine creates learning experiences designed to leave educators feeling inspired, capable and ready to strengthen practice.

    CONNECT • REGULATE • GUIDE • REFLECT

    Bridging Research, Pedagogy and Everyday Practice

    Janine Kelly’s speaking engagements bring together current research, innovative pedagogy and practical strategies that educators and leaders can embed within everyday practice.

    With over 30 years of experience across early childhood education, leadership and service improvement, Janine understands the realities of the sector, from supporting children with complex behaviours to strengthening educator confidence, reflective thinking and team culture.

    Combining storytelling, research-informed practice and practical tools, Janine creates engaging professional learning experiences that inspire reflection, challenge thinking and support meaningful change.

    Popular Keynote Topics & Professional Learning Themes

  • Beyond Behaviour:

    Understanding the Child Beneath the Response Through Connection, Regulation and Relationships

    Drawing on current research in child development, emotional regulation, trauma-informed practice and neuroscience, this presentation explores how educators can shift from managing behaviour to understanding what children are communicating through their actions.

    Through storytelling, reflective inquiry and practical strategies, Janine supports educators to strengthen relationships, recognise stress responses and create environments where children feel safe, connected and ready to learn.

    Participants will explore:

    Behaviour as communication, not defiance
    Brain development and the developing nervous system

    Trauma-informed and inclusive approaches
    The power of connection and co-regulation
    Supporting children with big emotions
    Practical strategies educators can implement immediately

    Innovative Pedagogy:

    Reimagining Learning Through Play, Research and Possibility

    The future of early childhood education requires educators who are willing to think differently — to question traditional approaches, embrace innovation and recognise the many ways children communicate, create and construct knowledge.

    Drawing on research-informed pedagogy and practical experience, Janine explores how educators can move beyond simply providing activities towards creating meaningful learning experiences that honour children’s voices, interests and capabilities.

    Through the lens of schemas, multiliteracies, digital storytelling and contemporary approaches to play, this presentation invites educators to rethink what learning can look like in today’s changing world.

    Participants will explore:

    Innovative approaches to play-based learning

    Recognising children as capable researchers and meaning-makers
    Children’s voice, agency and identity

    Multiliteracies and digital technologies in early learning

    Research backed pedagogies like Schematic play and deeper curriculum connections

    Bridging traditional pedagogy with future-focused practice

    Connected Leadership:

    Leading Through Relationships, Reflection and Collective Impact

    Leadership is not defined by a title — it is reflected in the relationships, decisions and cultures we create.

    Drawing on research-informed leadership approaches, Janine explores how leaders can move beyond management and compliance towards creating connected communities where children, educators and families feel valued, heard and empowered.

    Through the lens of transformational, pedagogical and reflective leadership, this presentation explores how leaders influence not only teams, but the wider learning community.

    Participants will examine how leadership approaches shape trust, communication, professional identity and the ability to create sustainable change.

    Participants will explore:

    Transformational leadership and leading through change
    Pedagogical leadership that strengthens teaching and learning
    Distributed leadership and empowering educator voice
    Relational leadership with children, families and communities
    Critical reflection as a leadership practice
    Building cultures of trust, collaboration and continuous improvement
    Aligning vision, values and everyday actions

  • From Practice, to Research, to the Stage

    A Journey of Reflection, Innovation and Great professional learning is not created through information alone — it grows through curiosity, reflection and the courage to keep questioning what is possible for children and educators.

    Janine’s journey from early childhood practice to published author and keynote speaker has been shaped by a commitment to bridging research, pedagogy and the everyday realities of early learning environments.

    Her published work, The Connected Child: Exploring Schemas, Multiliteracies and Digital Play in Early Learning, represents this ongoing exploration, bringing together children’s voices, schematic play, multiliteracies and innovative approaches that recognise children as capable contributors in their own learning.

    Today, Janine continues to bring these conversations to the stage, inspiring educators and leaders to challenge assumptions, strengthen practice and create meaningful change within their learning communities.

  • Tailored Keynotes & Professional Learning Experiences

    Created for Your Community, Context and Goals

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    Every conference, organisation and learning community has its own story, priorities and vision.

    Janine works collaboratively with event organisers and leadership teams to create meaningful professional learning experiences that align with the needs of their audience — while maintaining a strong foundation in research-informed practice, innovative pedagogy and practical application.

    Whether supporting educators, leaders or wider professional communities, each presentation is designed to spark reflection, strengthen understanding and provide strategies that continue long after the keynote ends.

    Presentations can be tailored around themes including:

    Child development, behaviour and emotional regulation
    Neuroscience-informed and trauma-aware approaches
    Children’s agency, voice and innovative pedagogy
    Curriculum, documentation and quality practice
    Reflective inquiry and continuous improvement
    Transformational and pedagogical leadership
    Creating connected teams and learning communities

  • Bring Connection to Your Next Event

    Looking for an engaging keynote speaker who bridges research, pedagogy and everyday practice?

    Janine works with conferences, organisations and leadership teams to deliver professional learning experiences that inspire reflection, challenge thinking and support meaningful change beyond the presentation.

    Get in Touch with Janine

    Keynotes • Conferences • Leadership Events • Professional Learning Days

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