Early Years Conference 2026

Attention skills, regulation skills and language development - what do these have in common in the early years? And how do they link to physical development, particularly of eye tracking and feet?

How can we play in ways that holistically supports a child's development? Particularly for children with SEND and developmental needs, who would benefit from support with attention, interaction and sound development in language.

Come along to this practical workshop to find out more, including most importantly to try out some of the games and activities you can use to help.

About Ellie

Ellie has a B.Ed (Hons) in Lower Primary Education (3-7 years) and a M.Ed in Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, both from Birmingham University School of Education. Her first seven years of teaching experience were spent within special schools, working with children with a range of severe to profound learning difficulties working within the earliest stages of development, including specialist teaching approaches for children with multi sensory impairment and setting up and running a class for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Severe Learning Difficulties.

She spent the next nine years working as a county advisory teacher in Northamptonshire for early years SEN with families and a wide range of schools and early years settings, including providing training, consultation and advice, assessment and joint work with the community health teams, and the Northampton Child Development Centre. As an Independent Consultant delivering training nationally to schools, early years settings, charities and parent groups, as well as working directly with children with a wide range of needs, she is continuing to enthusiastically develop her knowledge and training in how difficulties in the early stages of development can affect learning and achievement long term, and what strategies best enable children to regain this vital ground.

• It’s not just crying – let’s discuss the different ways that we have observed babies and young children and their parents communicate that they feel emotionally unsettled

• Acknowledging feelings – ‘mind mindedness’ is a complex psychological process. The capacity within the adult’s mind and their ability to mentalise and acknowledge the babies experience is the foundation of infant mental health.

• Share theory/video clips as well as practical ideas

• Time for questions

About Debbie

Debbie Brace works in Early Years as an early language and behaviour consultant bringing child development theory to life in practice. Historically a qualified primary school teacher as well as a childminder, she now works directly with babies and their families as well as the early years education workforce.

Graduating with distinction with an MA in ‘infant mental health’ from the Tavistock and Portman, she is also an accredited Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) practitioner and part of the executive committee of AiMH UK.

Debbie’s attachment and psychoanalytic informed approach inspire parents/carers and early years professionals to have meaningful interactions and strengthen bonds between babies, young children and their caregivers giving them the best chance of developing positive foundational relationships alongside early language skills.

Find out more

babytalkandplay.co.uk

Debbie Brace (2021): ‘Settling In’: Exploring the complexities of observing and responding to young children’s communications of distress as they start day care, Infant Observation, DOI:10.1080/13698036.2021.1875869

This thought-provoking and inspirational workshop explores “Joy”, not as an abstract concept but as a fundamentally important part of every childhood.

By examining the neuroscience of Joy, Ben Kingston-Hughes presents a compelling argument that Joy is crucial for supporting all children to thrive and underpins every aspect of their development and well-being.

The session then explores practical strategies for using the concept of joy to give all of our children a childhood full of awe and wonder supporting all of our wonderfully diverse children to flourish.

The workshop is based on research for Ben’s game changing book, “Why Children Need Joy,” and is humorous, insightful and full to the brim with joy.

About Ben

Ben Kingston-Hughes is an international keynote speaker, author and multi award-winning trainer. He is also the Managing Director of Inspired Children, and has worked with vulnerable children across the UK for over 30 years. He has appeared on television several times working on a variety of children’s projects and his distinctive blend of humour, neuroscience and real-life practical experiences have made his training invaluable for anyone working with children. His ground-breaking book, “A Very Unusual Journey into Play.” is now available.

His new book “Why Children Need Joy” was a finalist for the Nursery World Professional Book of the Year 2024 where it was awarded “Highly Commended”.

“A life changing book, I can't recommend it enough. Everyone in Early Years should read it. The author is an inspiration!” R Taylor (Verified Amazon Purchase)

Young children are not born able to regulate their emotions and behaviour — they learn through relationships with responsive adults. This workshop explores how co-regulation lays the foundation for self-regulation in babies and young children.

Focusing on children younger than those typically targeted by programmes such as Zones of Regulation, the session will examine what regulation means in the early years and how sensory experiences, environments and relationships can influence a child’s ability to stay regulated.

Participants will gain practical strategies to recognise sensory impacts, understand why dysregulation occurs, and support young children through responsive co-regulation that nurtures emotional security and development.

About Emma

As an educator Emma has had a rich and varied career.

She has been a teacher for over 20 years, working in a range of environments. Emma’s passion to support SEND has derived from her professional and personal journey. This has led to her belief in people’s abilities to overcome barriers and difficulties.

Emma's last role in education was as the Head of a specialist provision, focused on the needs and education of children with autism. Emma has used these experiences to develop the Essential Education Group LTD which is an audit, consultancy and training company, specialising in special educational needs, in particular neurodiversity.