3a Practitioner
Become certified and skilled in implementing 3a strategies to support your early childhood setting.
$1815.00 AUD (inc GST)
Research has shown that the positive impact of early childhood education lies in the nature, quality and consistency of interactions between educators or their carers, and children.
The Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a) is a set of practical, evidence-based teaching and learning strategies that enhance the quality of interactions with young children and support child development and learning. It is proven to have a positive impact on child, educator and family outcomes, with lasting change in children’s lives both before and after they start school.
This course is for early childhood educators and parents wanting to effectively implement 3a strategies to support their early childhood setting, and ultimately advance children's learning outcomes.
Training includes certification for 12 months and access to the online 3a member community and resources.
Understand 3a research and theory
Learn about key theory and research that supports the Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a), as well as about 3a in the Australian Policy Context.
Learn the four key elements of 3a
Explore the Abecedarian elements that create learning environments that can support children’s development to their full potential: Language Priority, Conversational Reading, Learning Games, and Enriched Caregiving.
Gain practical strategies to implement 3a
Become equipped with a wide range of practical and easy to implement strategies to use in your. own early childhood setting.
For more information about 3a, including research evidence, detailed training options and resources, see the 3a website.
More from this series
Take multiple courses to deepen your knowledge.
The 3a - Abecedarian Approach Australia series
The Faculty of Education is at the forefront of 3a strategy Australia-wide, and offers three levels of training in 3a. This specialist training is designed to provide practical skills and strategies to implement, train and lead in 3a so you can deliver enhanced educational outcomes. We also offer customised 3a training for organisation-wide delivery. If you are interested in on-site or group training please email 3a-info@unimelb.edu.au
Explore more from the 3a - Abecedarian Approach Australia series:
- 3a Affiliate Trainer (Short course)
- 3a Coach (Short course)
Fees
For individuals
To take 3a Practitioner as a stand-alone course, you'll pay the normal price.
Certification fee is included in the course fee.
$1815.00 AUD (inc GST)
Please contact Student Support to pay by invoice.
Registration closes Oct 5, 2026
Dates
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Course details
3a Practitioner is for early childhood educators and parents wishing to enhance the quality of education-based interactions with children, and ultimately advance children’s learning outcomes. It is designed to use with children from birth to age five.
There are no eligibility requirements.
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Research and Theory
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Australian Policy Context
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Language Priority - a commitment to make every experience an opportunity for talking, listening, and learning language
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Enriched caregiving - intentionally adding educational content to the daily, repeated routines of care
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Conversational Reading - individual and pair reading that emphasises back and forth communication
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Learning Games - 200 experiences or games played between an adult and one or two children.
This course runs over two weeks, delivered as three day-long sessions.
To become a certified 3a Practitioner, you need to attend the 3a Professional Learning Program and successfully complete the knowledge test within 14 days of training.
The knowledge test assesses your understanding of the training. You need to achieve a score of 80% or more to pass it. You can sit the test up to three times.
We also offer customised 3a training for organisation-wide delivery. If you are interested in on-site or group training please email 3a-info@unimelb.edu.au.