Gender equality in focus at workshop

EARLY childhood development professionals, parents, carers and community members are encouraged to attend a free workshop that covers the importance of promoting respectful relationships and gender equality in children’s “early years”.

Run by Playgroup Victoria, the informal, 90-minute session at Bendigo Library on 1 November will focus particularly on how gender equality is linked to the prevention of violence against women.

Snippets from Playgroup Victoria’s flagship children’s show, All Come Out to Play!, will also be performed during the event.

All Come Out to Play! lead facilitator, songwriter and children’s performer Amanda Testro said the workshop was originally developed because it became apparent that “we really needed to get to the people who were the educators and the teachers”.

Ms Testo explained that while there will be a lot of evidence-based information supplied, “the whole thing” is tailor-made around several topical music interludes.

“We strongly encourage (attendees) to participate in the musical activities, because if you’re in the early childhood space and you’re trying to deliver some sort of musical activity to children, then you really need to do it (and feel it) yourself.”

She said the workshop is recommended for anyone who is “interested in the world being a more equal, peaceful place”.

“I think it’s incredibly important that educators can get across as many of these messages as possible,” she said.

“It’s also really, really fun. There’s always a lot of laughing even though some of the stats are full on.”

All Come Out to Play! – Embedding Gender Equality in the Early Years takes place at the Bendigo Library from 11.30am to 1.00pm on Friday 1 November.

Bookings are not required.