Wings to Fly

Wings to Fly enhances the practice of early years’ professionals in the area of social and emotional wellbeing, using a strengths-based and neuroscience informed approach to critical conversation and reflections.

The latest Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data shows one in five children are starting school vulnerable in at least one of the five developmental domains.[1]

Venture mission

Informed by neuroscience,[2] Pathways to Resilience’ Wings to Fly (Wings) program uses a proven strengths-based approach aimed at preventing anxiety and depression, and deepening understanding of those at-risk children aged 0-5 years to build their resilience, skills and the capacity to transition effectively into primary school.

Goal of SVA partnership

Wings works with communities of low-socioeconomic status; culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; in rural, regional and remote Queensland.

SVA is supporting Wings to Fly to grow the reach of its program by supporting development and implementation of different modes of training delivery, while growing its income base.

SVA support

Wings to Fly joined the venture philanthropy portfolio in June 2017.

[1] Australian Early Development Census National Report 2015, ‘A Snapshot of Early Childhood Development in Australia 2015’, 

[2] Bruce Perry, 2006, https://childtrauma.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Perry-Bruce-neurosequentialmodel_06.pdf

Case study - Look at a child differently, see a different child

The strength of the Wings to Fly program is that it challenges educators to think about not only what to ‘do’ with children, but also how to ‘be’ with children. Occasional Childcare Director Kellie Dykes says Wings to Fly training provides practical strategies and experiences that can be immediately incorporated and embedded into childcare programs.

‘It incorporated theories and studies into the impact of trauma and attachment on the developing brain, demonstrated a change of practices in the language we use in our interactions, and a shift to greater awareness,’ she says.

‘It gave us the skills to support children with the strategies to become comfortable with the emotions they are feeling and to gain self-confidence to listen to others, show empathy, and build positive relationships.’