AAA in Action: Age-Appropriate Attributes of Developmental Care for the Preterm Newborn is a World Prematurity Day workshop that explores the critical role of developmental care during the period of rapid brain growth in preterm infants. Participants will gain practical insights into recognising age-appropriate developmental attributes, delivering individualised neuroprotective interventions, engaging families as partners in care, and implementing evidence-based developmental care practices within the NICU through the Assess, Adapt, and Advance (AAA) framework. The workshop is designed for neonatal healthcare professionals committed to improving developmental outcomes for vulnerable newborns.
Workshop Objectives
Participants will be able to:
✅ Differentiate developmental and sensory characteristics of preterm infants across key postmenstrual age groups and relate them to developmental care needs.
✅ Demonstrate selection of age-appropriate multisensory and neuroprotective developmental care interventions based on infant maturity, stability, and behavioural organisation.
✅ Design strategies to engage parents as active partners in delivering positive sensory experiences and developmental care within the NICU.
✅ Develop an individualised, age-appropriate developmental care plan that integrates infant assessment, sensory experiences, family participation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
This workshop is ideal for:
Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Speech‑Language Pathologists working in neonatal settings
Neonatal Nurses, Developmental Specialists, and NICU Care Teams
Medical and Allied Health Students interested in neonatal therapy and developmental care
Hospital Administrators and Educators seeking to implement evidence‑based NICU practices
15 November 2026