Events

Looking for summer fun with the family without blowing the budget? Check out our list of free summer activities in Melbourne 👇

Summer is well and truly here in Melbourne. While for some that means holidays by the beach and BBQs with friends, it can also be a stressful time for families. Whether it’s the pricey activities or the need to keep your children occupied over the holidays, summer can take its toll on parent’s minds and budgets.

To ease the nerves, we’ve compiled a list of fun (and free!) summer activities around Melbourne from musical plants to paper dragons. Better yet, many of our top picks are educational, so your child will learn a thing or two while out in the sun – just don’t forget the sunscreen!

1. Myer Christmas Windows

Every year since 1956, Myer host their famous Christmas Windows art exhibit, which has become a mainstay Melbourne tradition. This year, the theme is none other than Bluey!

If you’ve never seen the Windows for yourself, this is the perfect opportunity to get your child out of the house and experiencing the city in a safe, wholesome environment. Naturally, Bluey is fun for the whole family, with plenty for parents to enjoy (as well as some great photo opportunities).

Date: 12 November 2023 – 6 January 2024

Time: 7:30am – 10:00pm

Where: 314-336 Bourke St
Melbourne VIC 3000

2. The Plants

This unique musical installation is one you don’t want to miss. This summer, your family is invited to join in on this one-of-a-kind interactive art installation.

The Plants allows your child to engage with music and nature through experimental instruments, combining digital sensors and organic matter to make genuine, playable plants!

Date: 16 January 2024 – 21 January 2024

Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm, Mon – Sun

Where: Theatres Forecourt
Arts Centre Melbourne
100 St Kilda Street
Southbank 3004

3. Fitzroy Gardens Exploration

If making music out of plants isn’t your style, why not just look at them instead? This summer, take advantage of the warmer weather by exploring Fitzroy Gardens! Start your journey at the Visitor Centre to pick up a pamphlet, collect adventure map, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with the family.

Then, take a journey around the Gardens, either following your adventure map or enjoying a leisurely walk among the flowers. Some key attractions around the Gardens include:

• The Conservatory
• Scarred Tree
• Elm Tree Avenues
• Hotham Walk
• Fairies’ Tree
• Model Tudor Village
• River God Fountain

Date: Anytime

Time (Visitor Centre): 9am – 4pm, Mon – Sun
Time (The Gardens): Anytime

Where: Fitzroy Gardens
Wellington Parade
East Melbourne 3002

4. Rififi: Jean Jullien for Kids

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the perfect summer outing to immerse your child in art, culture, and creativity. This summer, they’ve transformed their children’s gallery into a colourful underwater wonderland!

Created by French artist, Jean Jullien, RIFIFI: Jean Jullien for Kids is a truly unique art exhibition. Journey through hallways filled with interactive art, hands-on activities, mind-boggling sea facts, and an Underwater Drawing Club for the children.

Through its lively mixture of art and an important message of conservation, this is a must-visit exhibition this summer.

Date: 20 December 2023 – 7 April 2024

Time: 10am – 5pm, Mon – Sun

Where: National Gallery of Victoria
Ground Level, Children’s Gallery
180 St Kilda Rd
Melbourne 3006

5. Road to Zero Helmet Heroes

Did you know that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of bicycles accidents by 74%? Therefore, if safety is your number one concern for your child this summer, check out the Melbourne Museum’s ‘Road to Zero Helmet Heroes’ holiday program.

Designed for children three to four and up, this experience allows children to try on different helmets and safety gear, interact with props, and take photos with a state-of-the-art digital backdrop!

Importantly, this program teaches children the importance of helmet safety in a fun and memorable way.

Date: 2 January 2024 – 20 January 2024

Time: 10am – 3pm, Mon – Sat   

Where: Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson St
Carlton 3053

6. Lunar New Year – Dragon Festival

Join the festivities as Chinatown celebrates Lunar New Year in February of 2024 – the Year of the Dragon! This is the perfect summer outing, filled with music, art, dancing, great food, local market stalls, and – of course – the festival itself.

Lunar New Year festivals are famous for their rich performances, intricate puppets, and dragon dances – and Chinatown is no exception. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to introduce your child to the culturally diverse heart of Melbourne, while also enjoying a day out in the sun!

Date: 11 February 2024

Time: 10am – 9pm

Where: Little Bourke St
Melbourne VIC 3000

7. Playgrounds Around Melbourne

When all else fails, why not visit a playground instead? Melbourne is full of exciting playgrounds and natural play spaces which are perfect before, after, or during a day in the city.

With more than 40 playgrounds in and around the CBD, you can find them located in:

• Carlton
• Docklands
• East Melbourne
• Kensington
• Melbourne
• North Melbourne
• Parkville
• Southbank
• South Yarra
• West Melbourne

Date: Anytime

Time: Anytime  

Where: Click here for the full list of playgrounds located in and around the city.

As summer unfolds in Melbourne, the pressure on parents to find affordable and engaging activities for children can feel overwhelming. However, by incorporating a few of these free activities, you can ease the burden this summer without sacrificing the fun.  

From the timeless charm of Myer Christmas Windows to ushering in the Year of the Dragon, take the time this summer to embrace all the free and interactive experiences Melbourne has to offer. Moreover, these experiences are perfect for the whole family, so be sure to strike a pose with Bluey or take a trip down the slide at the playground – you’re only as young as you feel!

🍃 To tour one of our beautiful Centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website at Explorers Early Learning today!

Ever wondered what people celebrate in December other than Christmas? Check out our list of December festivities from around the globe 👇

When you think of December holidays, do you picture gingerbread houses and Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer? It’s no surprise if you did. After all, Christmas is celebrated in more than 160 countries around the world.

However, December is home to so much more than just our old friend Santa Claus. From Kwanza to St. Lucia’s Day, December is a time for reflection and celebration across nations, cultures, and peoples.

In this post, we dive into 7 December holidays from around the world to provide some insight into how different societies celebrate this wonderful time of family, community, and giving.

1. Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture which is recognised between December 26 and January 1. Though it’s mainly celebrated in the United States, it’s gradually spread to other nations with large African populations such as the United Kingdom, Jamica, France, Canada, and Brazil.

The holiday first originated in 1966 by author and professor Maulana Karenga. Karenga drew heavily from many traditional African values and cultures when creating the holiday. In fact, the word kwanza comes from the Swahili phrase for ‘first fruits’. Karenga added an extra ‘a’ so each letter (and each candle of the Kinara) would symbolise one of the seven values of Kwanzaa:

• Unity (umoja)
• Self-Determination (kujichagulia)
• Collective Work and Responsibility (ujima)
• Cooperative Economics (ujamaa)
• Purpose (nia)
• Creativity (kuumba)
• Faith (imani)

2. Las Posadas

Las Posadas (meaning ‘inn’ or ‘lodging’ in Spanish) is an annual festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States between December 16 and December 24. The festival elaborately recreates Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to the stable in Bethlehem.

To recreate the biblical event, a child is dressed as an angel to lead the town’s people through the streets. More children follow with candles to stop at houses and sing songs. Afterwards, the children break open Piñatas shaped like wise men’s stars which are filled with lollies, toys, and even money!

3. Hanukkah

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights which dates all the way back to 175 BCE. It’s endured for thousands of years and is celebrated annually on the 25^th day of Kislev (the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar) which usually occurs in late November to early December. However, it’s important to note that Hanukkah isn’t ‘Jewish Christmas’. Rather, it’s one of many important Jewish celebrations, such as Passover and Yom Kippur. 

In 2023, Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 7 and ends December 15.

During the eight-day holiday, families gather each night to light the menorah, sing songs, and enjoy traditional Jewish foods such as deep-fried jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot), potato pancakes (latkes), and chocolate coins (gelt).

4. Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day is an annual Buddhist holiday recognised on December 8 which celebrates the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha back in 596 BCE. During this period, Buddha sat beneath a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Northern India, for seven days and mediated.

In modern times, Bodhi Day is celebrated in many parts of the Western World, predominantly Japan. In Buddhist homes during Bodhi Day, you’ll find coloured lights which are turned on each evening starting December 8 and continue for 30 days. Additionally, a candle is added each night to symbolise Buddha’s enlightenment.

Rice and milk are commonplace during Bodhi Day, commemorating the first meal Buddha ate after the week-long meditation. You’ll also find homes filled with beautiful mini-Bodhi trees!

5. St. Nicholas Day

No December holidays list would be complete without a cameo from St. Nick. This feast day is dedicated to St. Nicholas, a saint famous for his selfless nature, on December 5 or 6 in Western nations, and December 19 in some European countries using traditional church calendars.

St Nicholas Day is a time for parades, mass, and gift-giving. One of the more famous traditions is children leaving out pillows or shoes which will be filled with presents (if they’ve been nice)!

However, while St. Nicholas was known as a patron saint across Europe for centuries, it wasn’t until 1773 that the festive spirit washed up on American shores. Soon after, Dutch families gathered to celebrate St. Nicholas Day, who went by the Dutch name ‘Sinter Klass’, a shortened form of ‘Sint Nikolaas’. Over time, this naturally evolved into the Santa Claus that we know and love today. 

6. Saturnalia

This is one holiday you probably haven’t heard of. However, it’s impact on modern day celebrations of Christmas can’t be understated. Saturnalia was an annual celebration of Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture, and was the most popular holiday on the Ancient Roman calendar. In fact, it’s still celebrated to this day!

Although it started as a single day celebration, it eventually expanded to a weeklong event from 17 December to 24 December.

The Romans celebrated by singing, playing music, feasting, and exchanging gifts. Additionally, Romans would shed their togas in favour of red and green clothes. Moreover, they decorated their homes with wreaths and evergreen branches – all mainstay symbols of modern-day Christmas!

7. St Lucia’s Day

St Lucia’s Day is a Scandinavian festival of lights celebrated annually on December 13 in honour of St. Lucia (St. Lucy). To celebrate, towns in Sweden, Norway, and Finland organise a procession led by a St Lucia designee who is elected by the town. The designee will then lead the procession, followed by girls wearing lighted wreaths and white robes while singing songs.

After the festival lights up the town, families gather while one of their daughters (usually the eldest) serves coffee, baked goods, saffron bread, and ginger cookies to other family members – symbolising St. Lucia’s giving nature all the way back in 304 CE.

Ultimately, no matter where or what you celebrate, December is the perfect time of year to spend with the ones who mean the most. So, take the time to share, celebrate, and let family and friends know how much they mean to you – Happy holidays!

🍃 To tour one of our beautiful Centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website at Explorers Early Learning today!

Have you ever wondered how Easter is celebrated in different countries? Read on for all the unique ways Easter is celebrated around the world!

Easter is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, with at least 95 countries embracing the chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. Although it’s often associated with Christian traditions and Western culture, it’s also observed in various cultural contexts. From Easter egg hunts to religious processions, the celebration of Easter is a rich tapestry of customs, beliefs, and practices.

In this post, we look at some of the unique ways Easter is celebrated around the world.

1. Germany

They love Easter in Germany! One of their most famous holiday traditions is that of the Easter Egg tree, otherwise known as ostereierbaum. This tradition involves decorating trees and bushes with hand decorated eggs, creating colourful displays from the natural landscape.

Branches are also used and decorated in homes (similar to a small Christmas tree), while larger trees are displayed in local parks.

The biggest Easter Egg tree stood for 50 years in Saalfeld, Germany, which held up to 50,000 eggs – all hand decorated by one German family.

2. Sweden

In Sweden, Easter is celebrated with the tradition of the Easter Witch. Children (and even some of the grown-ups) dress up as witches, complete with broomsticks, headscarves and painted faces. The ‘witches’ then go door-to-door, offering painted eggs in exchange for sweets, similar to Halloween trick-or-treating. The tradition dates back centuries and is still observed by Swedish locals to this day!

3. Italy

For many Catholics around the world, Easter is the most important time of year. In Rome – one of the most devout cities in the world – Holy Week is a particularly significant event, with various processions and religious ceremonies occurring throughout the week.

On Good Friday, a procession takes place in which the Pope leads the fourteen stations of the cross from the Colosseum, with thousands of people following behind, carrying candles. The children get involved in the festival by singing songs and assisting in church services.

4. South Africa

Easter in South Africa is a time for faith, food and family. Locals typically gather for an afternoon church service on Easter Sunday, followed by a family get together to enjoy traditional South African foods such as roast lamb, pickled fish and braai (South African barbecue).

However, since the 1980s, the day after Easter Sunday is recognised as Family Day. This is an official public holiday which is observed to encourage families from all faiths to spend the day with their loved ones.

5. Greece

In Greece, Easter is celebrated with the Orthodox Christian tradition of the Holy Fire. The night before Easter Sunday, a flame is lit at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and flown to Greece, where it is used to light candles in churches across the country.

This tradition dates back 1,200 years, and is celebrated widely as the flame is believed to be a symbol of the resurrection of Christ. Crowds of up to 10,000 gather around the Holy Sepulchre for the event, chanting ‘Kyrie eleison’ which translates to ‘Lord, have mercy.’

6. Bermuda

When you think of Easter, kites probably don’t come to mind. However, in Bermuda, no Good Friday is complete without the locals getting out into the fresh air and flying homemade kites around the natural landscapes.

The origin of this tradition dates back to a Bermudan Sunday school teacher explaining the resurrection of Christ through a kite demonstration. Ever since, kites and Easter have become intertwined in Bermuda.

7. Poland

On Easter Sunday, Poles get up bright and early (6am) for the Resurrection mass. Following the service, families gather for a hearty breakfast of cold meats, eggs, bread and pâté. Cakes, sweets and cheesecakes are enjoyed throughout the day, making Polish Easter one of the tastiest around the world!

The Monday after, however, takes an interesting twist with children throwing buckets of water on each other in a tradition known as Wet Monday (they take water fights very seriously!).

8. Brazil

In Brazil, the town of Ouro Preto is known for its elaborate Holy Week celebrations. The town’s churches and roads are decorated with flowers and lights, making brilliant artwork throughout the streets. Additionally, processions take place throughout the week, with participants carrying images of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Easter is a holiday that is celebrated in many different ways around the world, each with its unique traditions and customs. Whether it’s a religious procession, the decoration of Easter trees, dressing up as witches or just enjoying some hot cross buns, Easter is a time to come together with family and friends, celebrate the arrival of spring, and reflect with those closest to you.

🍃 To tour one of our beautiful Centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website to register your interest at Explorers Early Learning today!

Looking for some summer activities for the little ones? Read on for our list of 11 sensory activities to check out in Melbourne this summer.

Summer is upon us in Melbourne which means sunny days, kicking off the blankets, the odd thunderstorm and some great opportunities to get out and explore with the family.

Whether it’s indoors or outdoors – sunny or raining – there’s so much to do in summer to get the little ones moving and interacting with their environment. Moreover, the early years are essential for developing children’s creativity and sensory perception, so we’ve listed some fun activities around Melbourne to engage the little one’s senses this summer!

1. Museum of Play and Art (MoPA)

MoPA is an interactive learning experience for children of all ages. Accordingly, the museum has child-safe play spaces, rainbow tunnels, craft stations, cityscapes, confetti slides and an onsite café! Additionally, MoPA is Reggio Emilia inspired, referencing Loris Malaguzzi’s focus on ‘the importance of play and creativity in early learning.’

MoPA, located in Melbourne and Geelong, is open 9am-5pm seven days a week over the school holidays.

2. Scienceworks

Scienceworks is a science and technology museum designed to inspire and educate young minds. Although the museum is suitable for ages 5 and up, Scienceworks and Baby Sensory have teamed up this summer for an immersive experience for ages 0-13 months. These sessions, as part of their Little Kids Day In program, are filled with ‘gentle exercise, much-loved games, and end with a sensory filled celebration.’

3. Imaginaria

Imaginaria is a walk-through play experience for children of all ages. They can freely roam this interactive indoor display filled with soothing sounds and multi-dimensional light. Above all, Imaginaria is a shining example of how art and audio-visual play spaces encourage creativity and imagination in children. These skills are vital for success later in life.

4. Melbourne Museum

There’s always something happening at the Melbourne Museum. Their daily exhibitions feature all kinds of cool science and historical displays such as skeletons, fossils, artefacts and interactive displays.

Additionally, this summer the Melbourne Museum are showcasing the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery. This autism-friendly exhibition features ‘hands-on exploration and discovery, open-ended play-based learning, extraordinary immersive environments and unique museum collection objects.’

5. Monet & Friends at THE LUME

We love art at Explorers – especially impressionism. Therefore, our Little Impressionist program encourages children to explore the impressionist (and post-impressionist) styles of Monet and Van Gogh to express themselves through art and colour.

To see the power of this art for yourself, why not take your little one to the Monet & Friends exhibit at THE LUME? Overall, this exhibition of life, light and colour feels like you’re stepping inside one of his famous paintings!

6. LEGOLAND 

LEGO is a fantastic way to improve children’s fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving and teamwork. Moreover, LEGO has psychological benefits, as children imagine, plan and build intricate creations.

Lastly, LEGOLAND’s enclosed spaces and interactive environments are suitable for children aged 3 – 10, just remember to always supervise younger children to prevent choking hazards.

7. SEA LIFE Melbourne

Summer is the perfect time to visit SEA LIFE Melbourne to enjoy the interactive Pirate Treasure Hunt. This journey takes you around the aquarium, seeing and learning all about the ocean, its creatures and the delicate ecosystem which binds it all together.

Moreover, a trip to the aquarium is a wonderful way to teach children the importance of sustainability and preserving the natural world.

8. Jurassic Park High Tea

Is your child going through a dinosaur phase? Langham Melbourne are hosting a one-of-a-kind, Jurassic Park themed high tea for the little ones. You’ll find Dinosaur Trifle, Jungle Nasturtium Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Black Rock Arancini and so much more!

Dietary alternatives are available, but the most spellbinding part of the experience is the atmosphere and attention-to-detail. For instance, you’ll find dry ice mist, leaves, toy dinosaurs and earthy tones, making this a truly immersive prehistoric experience.

9. Pixar Putt

Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Soul, Luca and The Incredibles. Are any of these movies playing on repeat in your household? If so, this Pixar-themed golf course is a must-visit this summer! With a range of terrains and environments, the whole family can enjoy a day of mini-golf featuring your favourite Pixar characters.

Pixar Putt is located in Frankston, with a choice of either 9 or 18 holes. Just remember that this family-friendly outing is only available until February 5, so get in while you can!

10. Hire a Boat

What’s more Melbournian taking a cruise down the Yarra River? The sound of the water, the gentle sway of the boat and seeing the city from a completely different point-of-view is the perfect summer activity!

GoBoat, and other businesses like ON A BOAT and Melbourne Boat Hire, allow you to hire and drive your very own boat for the day (no boating licence required)! These trips are pet-friendly and suitable for newborns, so you can bring the whole family on this nautical adventure.

11. Christmas Festival

No list of immersive summer activities would be complete without Christmas! Each year the City of Melbourne hosts the annual month-long Christmas Festival. Naturally, the city goes all out and the CBD comes to life with the festive spirit.

Alternatively, you can always take your little ones to see the Christmas lights around your local neighbourhood! Above all, there’s nothing like a summer evening walk with the family, taking in the lights, the sound of cicadas and the starry night.

🍃 To tour one of our beautiful Centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website to register your interest at Explorers Early Learning today!

Ever wondered how Christmas is celebrated across the pond? Read on for some unique ways the festive season is celebrated around the world!

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world with over 2 billion Christians taking part in the occasion. However, that doesn’t factor in those who celebrate it for family, friends or just out of love for the festive season.

But as cultures differ, the way this eclectic holiday is celebrated goes far beyond Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In this article, we explore some interesting ways Christmas is celebrated around the world!

1. Japan

It may sound unusual, but KFC is a Christmas mainstay in Japan. Up to 3.6 million locals enjoy KFC ‘Party Buckets’ on Christmas Day with bookings required months in advance, not to mention lining up for hours to pick them up. This is remarkable considering that Christmas isn’t an official holiday in Japan as just 1% of the population identify as Christian.

The tradition dates back to the 1970s when Takeshi Okawara managed the first Japanese KFC. Okawara marketed fried chicken to the locals as a common American alternative to turkey on Christmas with the slogan, ‘Kentucky for Christmas.’ Although untrue, the campaign took off and KFC on Christmas is going forty-seven years strong in Japan!

2. Philippines

If you think shopping centres set up decorations early in Australia, they’re amateurs compared to the Philippines. They begin the festivities in September and continue all the way until the first week of January!

Over these four months, the islands essentially become the real-life version of Christmas Town from The Nightmare Before Christmas (minus the snow). Children sing carols, the locals dress up, festive songs flood the radio and Christmas movies play on every station.

3. Argentina

Christmas falls in summer for Argentina. Naturally, this means Christmas BBQs in gardens and backyards are commonplace. Likewise, family is everything in South America, so feasts and gatherings with extended family mark the occasion.

The festivities ramp up in late November and officially begin on December 8 with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Christmas Day involves Mass and religious ceremonies, which isn’t surprising as nearly 80% of Argentinians identify as Christian. After Mass, families get together for a late night feast and party into the night!

4. Iceland

You’ve probably heard of the 12 Days of Christmas, but what about the 13 Days of Yule? The traditions are quite similar, but instead of putting stockings out each night, Icelandic children place shoes on their windowsill in hopes of being visited by the 13 Yule Lads.

The Yule Lads, who look similar to Snow White’s seven dwarves, leave small gifts in the shoes of well-behaved children. The naughty children, however, get something even worse than coal – rotten potatoes! If that doesn’t motivate children to behave, we’re not sure what will.

5. Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Christmas is a time for reflection and spiritual connection between family and community. Preparations begin on November 25 with pious locals taking part in a 43 day Nativity Fast. The fast ends on January 7, the day Ethiopians celebrate Christmas. Locals only consume vegan foods during this fast and abstain from alcohol.

Gifts are not typically exchanged during this period, as it’s more about the communal experience and devotion to faith.

6. United Arab Emirates

Although Christmas isn’t an official holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it’s embraced in Dubai. The sprawling city is filled with festivals, musicals, light shows, parades and plenty of Christmas trees (some reaching 21 meters tall)!

The festivities are similar to those in Australia, with Santa paying a visit to the shopping centres, Christmas movies playing in the cinemas and decorations lighting the night all through December.

7. Mexico 

In Mexico, the festivities begin on December 12 and end on January 6. However, an additional holiday is celebrated on February 2 known as El Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas).

Children lead the Posadas on December 16, a nine-day celebration ending on Christmas Eve. They carry candles and re-enact nativity scenes while parading through the streets. The festival ends with the breaking of a seven-pointed star piñata, which is filled with sweets!

Christmas Eve involves more celebrations and mass, ending with a midnight feast. As you can imagine, Christmas Day involves leftovers and recovering from the previous night.

8. Finland

They love Santa in Finland. He greets families at shopping centres, airports, train stations, town squares and just about everywhere else. 

Finland is also the location of Santa Claus Village. There you’ll find Santa’s workshop, Mrs. Claus’ Cottage, real-life reindeer and even a full-service post office. Each year, up to half a million letters are sent to this post office from all over the world!

Lastly, no Finnish Christmas is complete without rice pudding. It’s traditionally eaten as the final meal and is often mixed with fruit or sugar. An almond is then hidden in the mix and whoever finds it is blessed with good fortune.

Overall, no matter where you are or what you celebrate, this is a wonderful time to reflect on all that you and your little one have achieved this past year. Importantly, it’s also a time to cherish those close to you and to show them how much they mean to you.

We would like to wish all our families, children, support staff and Educators a very merry Christmas, a Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year. We can’t wait to see you all in 2023!

🍃 To tour one of our beautiful Centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website to register your interest at Explorers Early Learning today! 

Ever wondered if Halloween goes deeper than the scary costumes and trick-or-treating? Read on to learn the fascinating history and educational value of this spooky holiday.

Halloween is exploding in popularity here in Australia. While you might have balked at the idea of trick-or-treating a decade ago, Australians are embracing the pumpkins and sweets with both hands. 

At Explorers, we consider Halloween a wonderful learning opportunity to teach children about literacy, maths, child safety, creativity and other cultures.

What is Halloween?

Although Halloween is typically understood as an American holiday celebrated each year on October 31^st, its origins date back to the Irish Samhain festival over 2,000 years ago!

Samhain is a Celtic festival which celebrates the end of harvest season – November 1^st – and the beginning of the ‘dark half’ of the year. The Celts believed the ghosts of their ancestors visited for this transition between seasons. To celebrate, they lit bonfires, danced, dressed up and left treats on doorsteps for their ghostly visitors.

However, with the spread of Catholicism throughout Europe, Celtic and Catholic traditions combined, and so did the evolution of Samhain.

Samhain → All Souls Day → All Saints Day → Alholowmesse → All Hallows Day → All Hallows Eve → Halloween

When Irish settlers landed on the shores of the Americas in the 1600-1700s, they brought Halloween with them. Catholic, Irish and American traditions combined which spread Halloween to the rest of the country, then to Canada, and then to the world. 

Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating originated on All Souls’ Eve in Ireland, where children went door-to-door asking for a treat in exchange for a prayer. Back then, soul cakes were the treats. Soul cakes are small round cakes baked with raisins, mixed spices and marked with a cross, not too dissimilar from hot cross buns.

The tradition evolved into what we know today as trick-or-treating. Consequently, groups of family and friends dressing up and venturing into the night on October 31st is becoming commonplace. Above all, this is a wonderful confidence building exercise for children to develop their social skills.

Moreover, it’s the perfect opportunity to teach the little ones some vital safety tips. Before the big night, be sure to explain some key child safety principles:

• Never go into a stranger’s home or car.
• Always check food labels for allergens.
• Stay off the roads (wear reflective tape if possible for visibility).
• Always stay under parental supervision.
• Ensure costume is well-fitted to avoid tripping.

Spark the Imagination

Creativity is a key component of the Reggio Emilia approach and Halloween is the perfect opportunity to stimulate children’s imaginations. They can choose their costume from their favourite book, movie, story or just make something up!

If they decide to be something more common, like a ghost for example, encourage them to write a story about their character which you can then read together. Literacy is a fundamental life skill for the little ones, so finding new and exciting ways to teach it outside the classroom is essential.

Lollies for Learning

After you and your little ones finish trick-or-treating, you can use the hard-earned treats as a wonderful (and tasty) learning tool. Ask them to lay their plunder on the table and count how many treats they’ve collected. Then, separate the different kinds by shape, colour, and size.

Ask your child to describe the tastes and textures. Is it sweet? Sour? Chewy? Toddlers are at a delicate age in their development which is largely dependent on sensory information and experiences, so be sure to nurture and encourage their sense of exploration.

Just be sure not to overindulge and always be mindful of your child’s sugar intake. Moreover, keep an eye out for allergen labels and nasty preservatives. Thankfully, there are loads of fun alternatives to hand out to trick-or-treaters if you want to give the sugar-high a miss, such as fruit skewers, popcorn, cheese and crackers, pretzels, and frozen yogurt sticks.

Halloween Around the World

While we love Halloween, it’s important to note that it’s a Western holiday. At Explorers, we embrace all cultures, and acknowledge that although many countries celebrate Halloween, they also have their own unique holidays. 

Here are just a few examples from around the world:

• Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that takes place each year on November 1^st and 2^nd. Although the name may sound ominous, this festival celebrates the beauty of life. Festivalgoers partake in candle-lit walks through the cities, dress up in colourful costumes, paint their faces and share baked treats.
• The Hungry Ghost Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the 15^th day of the seventh month of the Lunar Calendar. It is believed that during this event the gates of the underworld open. The day is celebrated by burning incense, hosting elaborate performances and preparing traditional meals with family.
• Gozan no Okuribi is a Japanese festival celebrated each year on August 16^th. Giant bonfires are lit on mountains surrounding Kyoto to signify the moment when souls of past family members return to the spirit world. These fires create enormous symbols, which are a natural marvel to behold.

Overall, if you choose to celebrate Halloween, it’s a wonderful opportunity to teach your child some handy life lessons while also expanding their cultural awareness. Be sure to encourage their creativity, join in the festivities and relish the memories just as much as the sweets.

To tour one of our beautiful Centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website to register your interest at Explorers Early Learning today! 

Teaching children about space is important for stimulating their imagination and sense of wonder. Read on for some some fun Space Week activities!

Space – the final frontier. We’re all familiar with the sun, the moon, the milky way, and we’re all still quietly mourning the loss of Pluto’s planetary status, but do you remember learning about space? It feels like it’s something we all just innately know. As it turns out, teaching children about space at an early age is an important phase for stimulating their imagination – a key pillar of the Reggio Emilia philosophy – and helps them work through feelings of isolation and anxiety.

For Space Week, we’ve listed a few ways you can teach your child about outer space in an engaging way to get them dreaming of the stars!

1. Get Crafty

While older children are better equipped for discussion, younger children – especially infants – can’t simply be told about space. Rather, at this age, they’re more sensory and learn through touch and feel. Space is perfect for sensory projects as it’s full of colour, shapes and the night sky is a vast, natural canvas.

Paper mâché planets, plush stars, finger painting and cardboard spaceships are just a few DIY ideas. If your child is too young for craft projects, a sensory kit is the perfect alternative. They’ve blown up in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Children learn through all their senses, and space provides a range of environments and terrains. To make a sensory kit, simply:

• Find a container, tray, bucket or bowl.
• Fill the base with your desired sensory material, e.g. smooth pebbles, marbles, mud, dry pasta, grass, sand, seashells, etc.
• Add space-themed ornaments such as toy planets, astronauts, stars, spaceships, satellites, etc.
• Invite your child to engage with the kit – just make sure you supervise to avoid any choking hazards.

2. Read a Space-Themed Book

Children love reading, and it’s a vital part of their development. Pop-up and picture books are perfect for teaching children about space as you can read them together, enjoy the colourful photos and share the experience while encouraging their intellectual curiosity.

Here a few of our recommendations from Australian authors:

• The ABC Book of Rockets, Planets and Outer Space by Helen Martin and Judith Simpson, and illustrated by Cheryl Orsini.
• Space Kids – Sabotage by Aleesah Darlison and illustrated by Nancy Bevington.
• Give me some Space! by Philip Bunting.

3. Make a Day of It

Arts projects, pop-up books and sensory kits only get you so far. Although you can’t exactly travel into outer space, there are loads of places you can take your child to show them the wonders of space.

Museums, observatories, exhibits and planetariums are a wonderful way to get your child gazing at the stars. Additionally, tours are often available by professionals who can teach your child some mind-boggling facts they can share with their friends.

4. Get a Telescope

While trips to state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated exhibits are a great excursion, you can’t do them every day. Telescopes give children the agency to explore space on their own and ignites their curiosity of the natural world. Moreover, they’re a perfect Christmas or birthday present that you can pair with star charts or calendars of orbital patterns.

Lastly, telescopes teach children about weather patterns and seasonal changes, as overcast weather will impact visibility. Overall, this teaches children about the interconnected nature of the universe. 

5. Write a Story

Space is awe-inspiring for children, and they can sometimes feel a sense of yearning as they can’t physically venture out into the stars. While books and museums inspire a sense of discovery, why not use this desire for adventure as an opportunity to explore their imagination?

Writing is a fantastic way to teach children about literacy, as well as expressing their emotions and creative flare. It won’t be H.G. Wells, but physically writing their ideas onto paper is a huge cognitive boost for children, as research suggests writing by hand may make them smarter.

Here are a few writing prompts to get them thinking:

• You are the captain of a voyage to Mars. It’s all going well until there’s a mutiny! What happens next?
• Write a short story about discovering a crashed spaceship in your backyard.
• Your best friend turns into an alien! What happens next?

Why is Space Week Important?

Space Week, and the galaxy more broadly, teaches children a fundamental lesson – the world is bigger than themselves. In their early years, children may feel isolated and even lose their sense of imagination as they mature and learn about responsibility and their role in a broader community. Space, through its impossible vastness, beautiful planets, swirling blackholes and brilliants stars is a venture into the great unknown and by its very nature invites fantastical scenarios and creative thinking.

However, outer space isn’t as fanciful as you might think. The space industry grew 9% year-over-year in 2021. At the current rate of growth, the space economy is expected to increase to $634 billion by 2026 and exceed $1 trillion in revenue by 2040, creating numerous jobs and career paths in the process.

Consequently, the idea of your child working in the space industry, or even travelling into outer space, isn’t as far-fetched as it seems. Likewise, who knows what technology will exist in the near future? Don’t forget, it only took 66 years between the Wright Brothers embarking on the first ever plane flight (December 17, 1903) to humans walking on the moon (July 20, 1969) when Neil Armstrong uttered the famous words – ‘that’s one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.’

🍃 To tour one of our beautiful Centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website to register your interest at Explorers Early Learning today!

R U OK? This simple question can mean the world to another, whether big or small. Read on to see how this day can boost your little one’s positivity and emotional development.

Over the past decade, discussions around mental health and positive affirmation have increased dramatically, chipping away at age-old taboos in the process. In honour of R U OK? Day, we’ve compiled some easy ways to boost positivity that you can pass onto your little ones. We understand these methods won’t make problems magically disappear, but something as simple writing down your thoughts can have astonishing results.

1. Start a Gratitude Journal

Writing down what you’re grateful for each day is a surprisingly effective way to reduce negativity in your life and all you need is a pen and paper. Next, write down just three things you’re grateful for. At first, it can feel a little uncomfortable, but the trick is you must write down three things every day. This is a wonderful experience to share with your little one because it equips them with vital tools to establish constructive mental health habits.

In the beginning, it can be as simple as, ‘I’m grateful for my toothbrush,’ or ‘I’m grateful for my bed.’ However, the more you do it, the more you’ll see certain things keep appearing. Better yet, you and your child can use this time to build on each other’s reflections:

• ‘I’m grateful for my friends that play games with me.’
• ‘Every day I’m thankful for my daughter who I love very much.’
• ‘I’m so lucky to have my family who always support me.’

Training your brain is like any other skill – it takes practise. Over time, you’ll get better at recognising and cherishing the positive things rather than focusing on the negative. Lastly, you’ll have pages of positive reflections to look back on over the weeks, months and years to come.

2. Limit Screen Time

Overusing screens is a sure-fire way to overstimulate your brain – and that goes doubly for your children. On average, we’re exposed to more images than ever before. And this is affected even more by smartphones and social media apps that are flooded with images, videos, updates, and endless news.

Smartphones and computers are remarkable pieces of technology which have connected us in ways never believed possible, but they need to be monitored.

Ultimately, overstimulation makes our brains work overtime, especially right before bed when it’s time to unwind. Research suggests that limiting screens an hour before bed can significantly boost mood and sleep quality. So, the next time you read about limiting screen time for children – try it for yourself!

3. Meditate

If you haven’t tried meditation before, you may have a preconceived image of robed figures softly humming in a circle at a forest retreat. However, this is a rather narrow view of meditation. Rather, meditation takes many forms and can be as simple as taking five minutes out of your morning to close your eyes and ground yourself in the present. Don’t think about tomorrow or next week or even an hour into the future – focus entirely on the moment you’re in and let your senses guide you.

Being out in nature has repeatedly proven an effective technique to enhance meditation. ADD (attention-deficit disorder) expert, Dr Zylowska, outlines that ‘nature is such an inducer of awareness in the present moment,’ making it ideal for calming fidgety children. Laying in the grass and looking at the sky is a fantastic way to soothe you and your child.

4. Increase Mindfulness

Have you ever found yourself in bed aimlessly scrolling your news feed? You don’t even really know why you’re doing it, but you’re filling your mind with all kinds of information you don’t actually need.

The best way to break this habit is to be aware of it and to consciously work to change it. This is something you can practise with your child to prevent them from developing similar habits as they develop into adolescence and become more exposed to technology. Some simple ways to practise mindfulness with your child include:

• The Five Senses Game – sit down and ask your child to describe each of their senses in order of: sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste.
• Deep Breaths – sit down together and take a deep breath through the nose, hold for five seconds, then slowly breath out through the mouth. Repeat as many times as you like.
• Listening Walk – get out into nature and invite your child to identify the sounds and sights of nature. The key here is to limit your responses where possible, so your child focuses on their senses.
• Story Time – ask your child to close their eyes as you read (or make up) a story, preferably in the second person. Pay particular attention to sensory details – ‘you’re walking along a beach. You feel the sand tickling between your toes.’

5. Tell Them How You Really Feel

Expressing your deepest feelings is as powerful as it is daunting. Having a dedicated family talking time can do wonders in helping children articulate their thoughts and emotions. It’s beneficial to get into this habit at an early age to entrench positive thought patterns before adolescence.

In 2013, a psychological study analysed the relationship between happiness and gratitude. Firstly, researchers gathered a group of volunteers and asked them think of the person who influenced them the most. Secondly, they were instructed to write a letter detailing why they were grateful for that person. Lastly, they were invited to call that person and read what they wrote, resulting in the following:

• The group that only wrote down the letter showed an increase of happiness between 2% to 4%.
• The group that wrote the letter and made the phone call showed an increase of happiness between 4% to 19%.
• Notably, the volunteer that showed the biggest jump in happiness began the experiment as the least happy.

Above all, what’s most important is identifying and responding to how your child feels. These techniques all serve to better help your child express their emotions, so they can be unpacked and worked through in an open and honest way. You’ll make mistakes along the way, so be prepared to learn and grow together. Remember, there are no shortcuts in this shared journey. Children’s mindfulness expert, Susan Kaiser Greenland, sums it up best:

‘Learning mindfulness isn’t like piano lessons, where you can have someone else teach it to your children. You have to learn it yourself.’

Don’t forget to ask your child, teachers, educators, co-workers, family and friends if they’re okay this R U OK? Day! 

🍃 To tour one of our beautiful Centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website to register your interest at Explorers Early Learning today!