Brave, resilient, optimistic: helping every child thrive
15
1:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Every child arrives in the world with their own temperament, their own way of moving through life. And yet we often respond to all children as if they're the same, wondering why some seem to struggle more with friendships, big feelings or change.
In the final session of this three-part series, Maggie Dent joins Mana CEO Himal to explore how temperament shapes our relationships with children, and why understanding it changes everything about how we support them.
A hopeful, practical and deeply affirming close to a series about giving every young child the very best start.
Together, Maggie and Himal will explore:
- How temperament shapes our relationships with children, and how we can work with it rather than against it
- Practical strategies for supporting children around friendships, one of the most important and underrated skills in early childhood
- How to help all children, regardless of temperament, build genuine bravery, resilience and optimism
Who this is for:
- Early childhood educators and Family Day Care professionals looking for practical strategies to support every child in their care
Speakers
Maggie Dent
Author, educator, & parenting & resilience specialist
Maggie Dent is a much-loved and trusted voice for parents, families and educators across Australia and beyond. A bestselling parenting author, she has written more than 10 books, including Mothering Our Boys, From Boys to Men, Girlhood and Help Me Help My Teen. Maggie hosts The Good Enough Dad podcast and led six seasons of the acclaimed ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In 2025, she brought her wisdom to television in the ABC series The Role of a Lifetime. A mother of four sons and a grateful grandmother, Maggie continues to support calmer, more connected childhoods.
Himal Randeniya
CEO & Founder, Mana
I'm an early years tragic! I was born into ECE, with Mum starting a home-based service and then purchasing a 28-place preschool in Ermington, NSW, Australia. Being a 4th-generation teacher, our dinner conversations centred around pedagogy, psychology, and the impact of stencils on learning! After completing my Science/Law undergrad at University of Sydney, nearly finished my Masters in Education (Leadership & Management) (although I never finished my dissertation), and a period of time in education tech startups and consulting, it was my great privilege to be the CEO of Being for six years where we created one of Australia’s highest-quality early education organisations. With Mana, I continue my mission to transform early education on this planet - creating extraordinary outcomes for children, their families, and their communities.
Replays
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1:00 AM - 2:00 AM