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Move beyond uncertainty. Build confidence. Strengthen child-safe practice.
Children’s sexual development is a normal part of growing up. But when behaviours raise questions or concerns, do you know what’s developmentally expected, what may indicate a problem, and how to respond?
For many early childhood educators, navigating these situations can feel challenging. Knowing the theory is one thing. Applying it confidently in everyday practice is another.
Bravehearts’ Understanding Sexual Behaviours in Early Childhood eLearning course bridges that gap, equipping professionals working with children aged 0–5 years with practical knowledge, evidence-informed frameworks and ready-to-use resources to support confident, child-centred decision-making.
Designed specifically for early childhood education and care settings, this course goes beyond awareness to help educators understand what they’re seeing, determine appropriate next steps and respond with compassion, clarity and professional skill.
Why understanding children’s sexual behaviours matters
From play and social interactions to rest time and everyday routines, early childhood educators observe children in a wide range of situations. Some behaviours are a typical part of development, while others may signal a need for additional support, assessment or intervention.
Understanding the difference is essential to responding appropriately.
Without the right knowledge and tools, uncertainty can make it difficult to know what action to take, how to document concerns or how to communicate with families.
This course provides a structured approach to navigating these situations, helping educators move beyond assumptions and respond in ways that prioritise children’s safety, dignity and wellbeing.
Practical skills for real-world situations
Understanding Sexual Behaviours in Early Childhood combines essential knowledge with practical learning activities that reflect the realities of early learning environments.
Participants will develop skills to:
- Understand developmentally expected sexual behaviours in children aged 0–5 years.
- Recognise behaviours that may require further assessment or intervention.
- Apply the Revised Hackett Continuum to support professional decision-making.
- Respond calmly and appropriately without shaming or labelling children.
- Document observations objectively and identify patterns of concern.
- Understand the importance of reporting, supervision and safety planning.
- Navigate sensitive conversations with families and colleagues.
- Contribute to prevention strategies and stronger child-safe environments.
Through realistic scenarios, reflective activities and structured decision-making exercises, educators can build their confidence in applying what they learn to their own professional practice.
Turning knowledge into action with practical resources
Professional learning shouldn’t end when the course finishes. Educators need tools they can use in everyday practice.
That’s why this course includes a range of downloadable resources designed to support implementation, reflection and informed decision-making.
Resources include:
Child Sexual Behaviour Assessment and Professional Decision-Making Tool
A structured template to help educators record observations, consider context, apply the continuum, identify patterns and make informed professional decisions.
Safety Planning Template
A practical resource to support supervision strategies, environmental adjustments, planning and review processes when concerns arise.
Educator Wellbeing and Self-Care Planner
A guided tool to help educators recognise stress, identify protective factors and develop strategies to support their wellbeing and professional resilience.
Additional tools and approaches support environmental audits, supervision planning, reflective practice, family engagement and child-safe prevention initiatives.
These resources help bridge the gap between learning and implementation, giving educators practical support they can adapt to their service’s needs.
Better outcomes for children, families and educators
When educators understand children’s sexual behaviours, they are better equipped to respond consistently, respectfully and appropriately.
For children, this means supporting safety, healthy boundaries, emotional wellbeing and opportunities to learn without shame or unnecessary stigma.
For families, it means more confident, respectful communication and stronger partnerships focused on children’s development and safety.
For educators and services, it means clearer decision-making, more consistent practices, better documentation and greater confidence when navigating complex situations.
By building shared understanding across teams, the course also supports a broader culture of prevention, reflection and child safety.
Designed for the realities of early childhood education
This course focuses specifically on the needs of professionals working with children aged 0–5 years. It is relevant to educators and professionals across long day care, kindergarten, preschool and family day care, as well as educational leaders, service leaders, approved providers and child safety contacts.
Recognising that every service, team and child is different, the course encourages educators to apply consistent principles alongside professional judgement and an understanding of their own service context.
The aim isn’t to provide a one-size-fits-all response. It’s to equip professionals with the knowledge, frameworks and practical tools to make informed decisions and take appropriate action.
Why choose Bravehearts?
Keeping children safe requires more than awareness. It takes knowledge, practical skills and the confidence to put learning into action.
Bravehearts’ Understanding Sexual Behaviours in Early Childhood brings together Australian evidence-informed learning, assessment frameworks, prevention strategies and practical resources in a course tailored to the realities of early childhood education and care.
Participants gain more than an understanding of children’s sexual behaviours. They gain practical support to strengthen their everyday practice, contribute to child-safe environments and work more confidently with children, families and colleagues.
Build your knowledge. Strengthen your practice. Help create safer environments for every child.
Explore Bravehearts’ Understanding Sexual Behaviours in Early Childhood eLearning course and take the next step towards more confident, consistent and child-centred practice.