"Given what's at stake, don't we all have a moral, ethical, political, and social obligation to provide children with the time, space, and tools to generate play? Since our capacity to play is inborn and used to develop naturally, it seems strange that we now have to make a conscious effort to ensure children opportunities for make believe".

A psychologist, Susan has written extensively about the effects of media and commercial marketing on children. Her book, Consuming Kids: The Hostile Takeover of Childhood, has been praised in publications as diverse as The Wall Street Journal, and Mother Jones and helped launch the movement to reclaim childhood from corporate marketers.

An award-winning ventriloquist and children's entertainer, Dr. Linn is internationally known for her innovative work using puppets in child psychotherapy. She pioneered this work at Children's Hospital Boston and the Children's AIDs Program, where she used puppets to help children cope with illness, hospitalization, death, loss and other life challenges. She has lectured on the importance of creative play, the impact of media and marketing on children, and the use of puppetry as a therapeutic tool in venues throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East. READ MORE.

Jane Malcom began her career in early learning and childcare in 2000 as a registered childminder. In 2002 she ran a local community playgroup and 6 years later became a pre-school nursery manager. Between 2007 and 2017 Jane was a further education lecturer with Edinburgh College working in the Childhood Practice team. She currently works for National Day Nurseries Association, as the Policy Manager for Scotland, representing the voice of day nurseries throughout Scotland and the UK.

Jane began her academic career in Childhood Studies in 2000 at Jewel and Esk Valley College, where she trained to be a childcare practitioner. Following several years of study at the college, Jane began her higher education career with the University of Edinburgh starting with the BA Childhood Studies and then the MSc Childhood Studies. She is currently in the final stages of submitting my thesis for the PhD Education. Jane is also a qualified further education teacher, holding the TQFE (Masters). READ MORE.

"My books are driven by the rights of children and families, partnering them in good times and bad and writing for inclusion and respect for each other".

For over 20 years local and internationally recognised Australian writer, speaker and mentor Suzanne Gervay has dedicated her career to being an advocate for literacy and a voice for young people and their communities. She has addressed audiences around the world on her work to emotionally engage in diverse areas including disability, inclusion, multiculturalism, bullying, inclusion, peace.

Suzanne has been awarded The Order of Australia for children's literature, nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Lifetime Literature Award for her body of works on social justice for children, by the International Literacy Association. Other acknowledgements include the University of Technology Alumni Excellence Award, Lady Cutler Award for Distinguished Services to Children's Literature, Winner of The Society of Women Children's and Young Adult Biennial Book Awards, Notable Awards from Children's Book Council Australia, winner of Family Therapy Children's Book Award and others. READ MORE.

"My passion is empowering kids and adults with story. Story that brings hope especially to young people, as they navigate this complex world. As the child of refugees, growing up with the emotional complexities of parents who had been through war, migration and loss, books were my source of escape, comfort and courage".

JOIN US FOR OUR FOURTH ANNUAL
EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE

Date: May 2nd - 3rd 2019
Location: Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney