Learning

You’ve probably heard of it, but what exactly is the Reggio Emilia Approach®? Read on for our breakdown of adult and child-centred early learning philosophy.

The Reggio Emilia Approach® has soared in popularity in recent decades. This approach to early education was created in the town of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and has become renowned worldwide for its focus on the child as an active participant in their learning.

At Explorers, we’re proud to deliver a Reggio Emilia inspired curriculum from our intentional teaching strategies along with the construction of our learning spaces. But what exactly is the Reggio Emilia Approach®?

In this post, we break down the Reggio Emilia Approach® and consider how it challenges traditional early childhood views of children, their experiences, and unique ways of learning.

A Brief History of the Reggio Emilia Approach®

The Reggio Emilia Approach® was developed during the aftermath of WWII by Loris Malaguzzi and the community of Reggio Emilia, Italy.

The philosophy was born out of a desire to create a new kind of education that would instil the values of the region, including democracy, community, and solidarity. Malaguzzi firmly believed that children construct their own knowledge through interactions with their peers, adults, the physical and social environment, materials and resources, and more.

The Environment as the Third Teacher

In the Reggio Emilia Approach®, they refer to the metaphor of the environment as the third teacher. This metaphor suggests that children construct knowledge from many sources and their education is enhanced by a collaborative approach, rather than a passive transmissive approach.  

Educators are responsible for constructing a learning environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and critical thinking. The teacher observes and documents children’s learning and uses this information to inform their teaching practice. Therefore, the teacher’s responsibility is to empower children to take an active role in their own learning and to facilitate growth, development, and curiosity.

Families are essential partners in the learning process. They are encouraged to talk to their children to share their knowledge and expertise, and to collaborate with teachers in designing learning experiences and contribute to projects that explore children’s curiosities.

The environment is considered just as important as families or educators in children’s educational journey. Carefully designed learning environments promote exploration, creativity, and learning. Children are active participants in the learning process, and environments are therefore designed to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive to deep underlying pursuits and curiosities of children.

Key Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach®

A series of principles inform all aspects of a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum:

1. Children are rich, strong, powerful, competent and capable of constructing their own learning.
2. Children learn by watching, listening, and experiencing.
3. Children are collaborators and learn through interaction with others.
4. Documentation is a strategy used by educators to make children’s learning visible.
5. Educators provide rich open-ended environments for children to express themselves.
6. Projects are developed for children to research the world around them.

Project-Based Learning

Projects are a core component of the Reggio Emilia Approach®. In other words, children’s emerging curiosities are noted and acted upon. Therefore, our Educators play a vital role in guiding emerging curiosities by asking questions and providing materials to nurture awe, wonder, and learning.

An example of a project could be a child taking an interest in how insects move. An Educator would ask questions, listen to children, and may focus on the concepts of flying or crawling as intentionality for the environments they design for children to explore. The Educator would then observe children, interpret their learning, and document their experiences, always thinking about how to extend children’s learning. They may ask children:

How does an insect move?

Does it have wings or legs?

Where do insects live?

The children’s answers would then be recorded in documentation. Documentation is critical to record the process and progress of the project. It is shared with families to communicate their child’s learning and learning processes.

How does the Reggio Emilia Approach® differ from traditional education philosophy?

The Reggio Emilia Approach® differs from traditional early childhood approaches. Firstly, it places a strong emphasis on the image of the child as an active participant in their own learning rather than a passive recipient of knowledge.

Additionally, it values communication and communication among children, teachers, parents, and the broader community.

Lastly, the the educational principles and values of Reggio Emilia include creativity and imagination and therefore children are offered various media as a means of expression and learning.

The Appeal of Reggio Emilia

There are numerous appealing features to the Reggio Emilia Approach®:

• Children are considered citizens with rights.
• Curriculum design builds on the curiosities of children to ignite awe and wonder.
• The value of the unique abilities of each child promotes a sense of individuality, but also value as a group member.
• Creativity and critical thinking enhances engagement and joy.

Encourages creativity and critical thinking, preparing children for success in the modern world.

What is the Image of the Child?

The Reggio Emilia Approach® places a high value on the image of the child. In other words, children are seen as capable, competent, and full of potential. Therefore, the Educator’s role is to facilitate children’s learning by creating an environment that encourages exploration, creating motivation to learn. Ultimately, children are free to express themselves through various means, such as drawing, painting, and sculpture, just to name a few.

The Reggio Emilia Approach is an innovative approach to early education which emphasises collaboration, communication, and creativity. These values are favoured by many early learning providers and families along with recognising the unique abilities and curiosities of each child. Explorers is inspired by the educational project of Reggio Emilia and commits to providing a curriculum for young children that fosters a love of learning.

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

Is your child going through an inventing phase? It’s more important for early childhood development than you might think. Read on for all the benefits of encouraging little inventors!

Children love inventing. It’s the perfect mix of imagination and creation. They have an idea, make concept art, work with different materials and end with a finished product. Additionally, inventing develops children’s problem-solving, fine and gross motor skills, manual dexterity and intelligence.

However, inventing is more than just a learning exercise. History is full of children creating everyday inventions from toy trucks to braille! So, to celebrate Kid Inventors’ Day, we look at the benefits of encouraging little inventors, as well as listing some famous child inventors for inspiration.

How to Encourage Inventing at Home

There are several ways to promote invention at home. And remember, not all inventions require crafts or elaborate parts. Many are simple alterations to existing objects. Moreover, just creating concept art is a huge step for the little ones!

A few ways to encourage children to invent are:

• Ask them to identify an everyday problem
• Write a story about an inventor (real or imagined)
• Invite them to draw an invention

Likewise, inventor kits have exploded in popularity in recent years. These are containers or boxes filled with everyday household items and loose parts. Inventor boxes present an evocative safe space for children to explore their senses, while also flexing their creative muscles. They can be bought pre-made or you can create your own in just a few easy steps. You’d be surprised at what children can create with the most basic materials!

Why is Inventing Important for Children?

Inventing is the ultimate form of creativity, as it encourages children to think critically and use their motor skills to turn an idea into a physical form. Importantly, this process engages both sides of their brain, which is fundamental to cognitive development. Moreover, creativity has emerged as a priceless skill across all industries, not just those in creative fields.

At Explorers, our Reggio Emilia inspired philosophy encourages play-based learning goals through project-based education. Therefore, if a child has an idea or passion in a specific area, our Educators actively motivate them down this innovative path. Children need to enjoy learning and be free to explore and create in their own unique way.

Educators, therefore, act as guides. They keep children from straying too far into the fanciful and make sure to ask the right questions. Importantly, they reward curiosity. This is integral to the Reggio Emilia approach, and early learning more broadly. 

Famous Child Inventors

Toy Truck – Robert W. Patch (Age 6)

Robert Patch was just six when he invented the toy truck out of shoeboxes, bottle caps and a nail. While it sounds simple, Patch became the youngest person in history to receive an official US patent. Importantly, Patch’s invention didn’t require elaborate parts or intricate designs – just a few materials and a good idea. 

Crayon Holder – Cassidy Goldstein (age 11)

In 2006, Cassidy Goldstein was named Youth Inventor of the Year by Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation. This was thanks to her ingenious Crayon Holders, which allowed broken crayons to be reused through a retractable plastic tube. Cassidy’s invention solved a common problem children faced daily, as well as drastically reducing crayon waste. 

Popsicle – Frank Epperson (Age 11)

Sometimes, a great invention isn’t enough. At age 11, Frank Epperson accidently invented the popsicle (icy poles) by leaving a sugary mixture out on a cold night, the wooden mixing stick frozen inside. Yet, it was a story of perseverance for Epperson. It took over a decade pitching his product around the neighbourhood, beaches and a fireman’s ball to finally get the project off the ground. Children can learn a lot from Epperson, as hard work does pay off!

Braille – Louis Braille (age 15)

By age five, Louis Braille was blind in both eyes. However, this didn’t deter the brilliant young inventor. At the time, reading and writing systems for the visually impaired were costly and inefficient. So, a 12 year-old Braille embarked on developing an entirely new system. By 15, he’d invented the raised-dot system we know today. Braille is now standard across all blind communities, and it’s not just for books. It can be found on signs in public spaces, keypads, restaurant menus, door signs, medicine labels and so much more.

Overall, inventing is a wonderful way to get children’s brains buzzing. In these early years, children start to understand that they’re part of a wider community. Importantly, they learn that their ideas and innovations can impact the world around them. So be sure to encourage and reward children’s ideas, no matter how silly they might seem. You never know – that electric toothbrush sticky taped to a fork might just be the next million dollar idea!

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

Unsure of what to ask on your Explorers Centre tour? Read on for a comprehensive list of the must-ask questions!

Enrolling your child into care is a big step for first-time and veteran parents alike. It’s important to remember that any feelings of anxiety you may have are completely normal when enrolling into day care, transferring services or taking your first Centre tour.  

Although you may feel confident embarking on your Centre tour and meeting your child’s Educators for the first time, there are probably 101 things you want to ask that can easily slip your mind.

To help out, we’ve listed some key questions to consider before your Explorers Centre tour. You don’t need to ask all of them, but we highly recommend writing down or highlighting those most relevant to your childcare requirements before the big day.

For a PDF of the following list – click here.

Children

1. What is the Reggio Emilia philosophy?
2. What are your operating hours?
3. How do you approach separation anxiety and transition into care?
4. What supplies do I need to bring?
5. How are age groups separated?
6. How does Explorers prepare my child for primary school?
7. How do I claim the Child Care Subsidy?

These child-focused questions provide some insight into what we’re about at Explorers, as children are at the heart of everything we do. Our Educators and Centre Leadership Teams have a passion for the Reggio Emilia approach and can answer any questions you may have, as well as redirect you to additional resources.

Nutrition

1. What will my child eat?
2. Do you cater for allergies and intolerances?
3. Do you use food for play?
4. Can I pack lunch for my child?
5. Where can I find the menu?
6. Are meals prepared at the Centre?
7. Can I bring breast milk/formula to the Centre?

At Explorers, we operate on a rotating seasonal menu which is approved by Nutrition Australia. We believe that nutrient-rich, wholefoods are fundamental to children’s early development.

Learning

1. What qualifications do your Educators have?
2. How many Educators are there per child?
3. What is the Enrichment Program?
4. Do you have incursions?
5. What are regular outings?
6. How is kinder taught at the Centre?

Our Educators are key to our operations. Their knowledge and experience are outstanding, especially when it comes to our immersive curriculum. Our Educators regularly go above and beyond to nurture your little one’s early learning journey, so don’t hesitate to ask how they implement our education practices! 

Day-to-Day

1. What does an average day look like?
2. What are make-up days?
3. How can I stay updated on my child’s activity throughout the day?
4. Do you have an app?
5. How does pick up and drop off work?
6. How does handover work between shifts?
7. Can I collect my child early?
8. Is the Centre open on public holidays?

We strive for consistency in our Centres to ensure your child receives the best quality care, as well as allowing the smoothest transition between childcare and primary school.

Safety

1. What is security like at the Centre?
2. Are your Educators first aid trained?
3. What is your sick child policy?
4. What are the cleaning policies and schedules?
5. Do you have summer and winter policies?

Child safety is paramount at Explorers. Our teams are well trained in implementing our safety strategies and ensuring all Educators are up to date with child safety standards. In fact, Explores recently signed an agreement with In Safe Hands, a leading provider of child safety training in Australia, to deliver focused child safety training across our Centres.

And remember, you can always contact your Centre Director after your tour if you have any questions. Additionally, you can also touch base our Family Support Team at 1300 000 335 or stop by our online Family Support Portal. Our website is filled with blog posts and handy resources to answer all your childcare questions.

Above all, try not to worry! More often than not, we find our children settle in almost immediately and create meaningful and long-lasting bonds with our Educators as they guide them from as early as six weeks to six years of age.

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

Did you have a favourite stuffed toy as a child? As it turns out, it may’ve been vital to your early childhood development. Read on to learn how vital these toys are in early learning spaces.

You might’ve noticed the stuffed toy in your child’s Explorers room with a message or name written nearby. It may’ve been a cuddly Koala, a wise old Emu or even a drawing from one of our Little Impressionists. You probably didn’t give it much thought beyond, ‘aw, that’s cute.’

However, these classroom mascots are so much more than just another stuffed toy. In fact, they’re a vital early education resource for increasing attention spans and establishing a sense of belonging and socialisation in children. In this post, we break down the little known benefits of classroom mascots!

What is a Classroom Mascot?

Classroom mascots can be a stuffed toy, an object or even a drawing. They’re almost always given a catchy name, like Emily Emu, Benny Bilby or Lori the Lorikeet. Additionally, classroom mascots are attributed personality traits, so you might find a grumpy kangaroo or a sleepy owl cosying up with the little ones. Establishing an agreed upon name and personality is essential to avoid confusion and arguments among children.

Essentially, classroom mascots act as a blank canvas for children to create a personality profile, complete with likes and dislikes, age and even a backstory (the more detailed the better).

Improved Attention Spans

As you can imagine, creating intricate backstories for classroom mascots is a wonderful exercise for strengthening children’s imaginations. They’re required to keep up with an elaborate network of fictional building blocks that create a cohesive whole.

Moreover, children with active imaginations are free to create fanciful backstories and sprawling family trees for their mascot. Likewise, the less reflective children are encouraged to contribute by building on their peers’ contributions, thereby strengthening relationships during these vital early years.

Teaching Right from Wrong

Some children struggle when adapting to figures of authority. The more wilful children may reject lessons from an adult that aren’t taught by a parent or trusted guardian. Classroom mascots, however, often embody a central message, such as kindness to others, anti-bullying or recycling. This process ultimately simplifies abstract concepts through play and exploration. 

Above all, children feel less like they’re being told what to do by a grown up when it’s filtered through a classroom mascot. Rather, children feel like they’re collaborating with a peer.

Bring Children Together

In short, classroom mascots unite classrooms. Children develop entirely unique backstories and identities for each mascot, so no two are exactly alike. Accordingly, this gives children in classrooms a collective sense of identity – and unity – as a group. 

A feeling of belonging is essential to children at a developing age, as it sets them up with vital life skills that may lead to a greater chance of success later in life. The Australian Children’s Education and Care Authority (ACECQA) expands upon this need for belonging, outlining that ‘in early childhood, and throughout life, relationships are crucial to a sense of belonging. Belonging is central to being and becoming in that it shapes who children are and who they can become.’

Break Down Cultural Barriers

Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Despite this, it can still be difficult for some children to understand other cultures among their peers. This is where classroom mascots shine as they don’t judge, discriminate or play favourites.

Brisbane-based education expert and primary school teacher, Holly Mitchell, argues that classroom mascots ease children into ‘experiences that they might prematurely judge – or shy away from – if delivered by a human. In a way, the magical world created by the mascot is a safe place for students to test out their understanding of new cultural information, and new skills in general.

Above all, classroom mascots are wonderful for stimulating children’s sense of imagination, creativity and awe. They engage children through humour and quirky personality traits, like hosts in children’s television shows or the talking animals in your little one’s favourite book.

At Explorers, we encourage children to take classroom mascots home for the weekend on a rotating roster. They take photos, journal their adventures and add them to the class scrapbook. This affords children a sense of responsibility, while also cementing their place in the classroom’s legacy. Importantly, this develops children’s confidence and understanding that they’re part of a community of individuals with their own thoughts, feelings and perceptions.  

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!

Are you wondering if a pet is right for your child? Check out our blog to see the science behind how pets make children smarter!

Are you considering if a pet is right for your child? And how common are they anyway? Well, according to a survey from Animal Medicines Australia, a whopping 64% of Australian households own a pet. To put that into numbers, that’s more than five million dogs, four million cats, five-and-a-half million birds, eleven million fish and hundreds of thousands of small mammals, reptiles and insects. In total, there’s over 29 million pets which is more than the population of Australia!

It’s clear that Australians are pet crazy, as two thirds of households without pets reported wanting one, and almost 90% of pet owners said their furry friends had a positive impact on their lives. But what exactly are these benefits? (Other than late night cuddles, of course).

As it turns out, pets may bring about a wealth of psychological and developmental benefits. And it’s not just for you – many studies have suggested children may benefit the most from pets such as increased empathy, reduced anxiety, a greater understanding of responsibility and even heightened cognitive function.

That’s why at Explorers Early Learning we embrace pets of all shapes and sizes. We have Fred the Fish, Georgie the Cockatoo, Panino and Provolone the rabbits and so many more! Centre pets are a favourite for the little ones, as they teach them about responsibility, the environment and empathy for all living things.

Empathy

One of the most important lessons for childhood development is empathy. It teaches children that the world extends beyond themselves to a network of individuals with their own beliefs, emotions and desires. Children begin grappling with empathy as early as two years old, and it teaches them that their actions and responses to situations have a direct impact on how others feel and why that’s important.
Numerous studies have highlighted how introducing animals to children at an early age increases levels of empathy, predominately among those who care for both cats and dogs, and even more so for horse and bird owners.

Pets have also regularly been linked to decreased depression, anxiety and negative thought patterns across all age groups.

Teaching Responsibility

Pets teach children that not everything will be given to them, and that they have power and responsibility over other living things. Pets need food, water, exercise, shelter, attention and love – lots and lots of love!

This is a confronting concept for toddlers, so pets provide a safe entry point into deconstructing their relationships with other living beings. They see how receptive animals are to affection, which can be a steppingstone for them to transfer these skills to the more complex social interactions with peers, Educators and society at large.

While these lessons are important, it’s vital for parents to also exercise responsibility when introducing children to pets. Dr Hayley Christian of the University of Western Australia outlines that while younger children, particularly between ages two and five, learn a great deal from pets, they must be under parental supervision at all times:

‘Never leave your child unsupervised with a pet. Young children are still learning so many things. Teaching them from an early age to read dog and cat body signs is important. Also, how to be gentle and how to interact with dogs in public including how to greet them.’

Improve Cognitive Function

Studies have suggested how pet ownership may bring about physical benefits, such as reduced blood pressure, however more recent studies are discovering that they may also have cognitive boosts. According to neurologist Dr. Tiffany Braley, “results suggest pet ownership may also be protective against cognitive decline.” This could lead to improved memory, problem-solving abilities and concentration – all key skills for the future success of your child.

Pets also encourage children to articulate their thoughts and feelings which develops rational thinking skills and socialisation. As pets don’t judge, criticise or spill your darkest secrets, children see pets as confidants and articulate their anxieties in a safe, controlled environment. 

Dr. Christian argues that this may boost ‘educational and social development in children and adolescents’ that own pets which ‘tend to have greater self-esteem, less loneliness, and enhanced social skills.’

Pets in Childcare

Childcare centres, kindergartens and primary schools are embracing class pets more and more as research continues to develop in EQ and the role of empathy. In fact, the Australia Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority have a detailed information sheet outlining the guidelines for childcare pets. The sheet also suggests that ‘encouraging direct contact and developing bonds with animals can help children build empathy’ and ‘learn about the life cycle and relationships and improve communication.’

We wholeheartedly embrace pets at Explorers Early Learning, believing that they serve as the ‘Fourth Teacher’ (the first three being parents, educators, and the environment) which is one of the pillars of the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Children at Explorers care for Centre pets, feed them, love them and even give them names!

These lessons also extend beyond the Centre. Excursions to zoos, sanctuaries and parks are commonplace, and wildlife experts and environmentalists love visiting to share their knowledge and wisdom about how to live peacefully with the natural world.

So, it doesn’t matter if you or your little ones prefer dogs, cats, fish, rabbits, snakes or spiders – it’s about caring for another life. This is the most valuable lesson pets teach both children and adults alike. The world is bigger than ourselves and that carries responsibility, so it pays to take care of each other… it may be more beneficial than you think.

🍃 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 one language is hard enough. Check out our deep dive on families who teach their children multiple languages at the same time!

Do you remember learning your ABCs? You had to make sense of the squiggly lines, the sounds they represented and all the rules that magically appeared when you formed words (oh, the joy of silent letters!). Well, what about learning your ABCs and your 诶比西? Or how about your αβγ while still learning your wahid, itnan, talata from your one, two, threes?

This is the reality for many bilingual children, meaning those who speak in two languages. And it doesn’t stop there. Some children are multilingual and learn up to four languages by the age of five! While this may seem strange from an Australian perspective, learning two or more languages from birth is very common in many parts of the world and monolingualism – speaking in one language – is considered unusual. 

Such an undertaking can be overwhelming for any parent, so we’ve broken down some of the common methods of nurturing multilingual and bilingual children, and the benefits and challenges behind them.

One Parent, One Language

One Parent, One Language – or OPOL – is perhaps the most common bilingual approach. As the name suggests, this method involves each parent only speaking to their child in one language. For example, if a child were learning English and Italian, one parent would only ever speak to the child in Italian, while the other would only ever speak to the child in English.

The theory is it creates necessity for the child. If they want to communicate with each respective parent, they need to pick up the language. Necessity is key as learning a language is hard work, and children often revert to what’s easiest and only do things if they absolutely must.

The main benefit of OPOL is it provides structure with children as they learn with a native speaker of the language in a controlled environment, so they will be exposed to the speaker’s native accent and pick up the nuances. The aim of OPOL is to establish double monolingualism, meaning they are fluent in both the native and minority languages. Keep in mind, this is a very high standard.

The main challenges of OPOL are consistency, as the parents aren’t always in isolation with the child. They will hear the parents speak to each other over dinner, when they’re out in the community and it can be difficult for parents to follow the method all the time. This can lead to a situation where the child may still understand the language but reply in the native language or confuse the two.

Minority Language at Home

Minority Language at Home – or MLAH – is where the minority language is the only language spoken within the confines of the home. One of the major benefits of this approach is it carries the consistency of OPOL but increases the cultural bond of the family and keeps the traditions of the family’s home country alive.

One of the challenges of MLAH is for young children that are not yet at school age or are not attending childcare or community events, as they may have little to no exposure to the native language by the time they enrol and may fall behind their peers. Children who learn the minority language before three years old and then learn another are considered sequential bilingualists.

Time and Place Method

The Time and Place method – otherwise known as T&P or Situational Bilingualism – relies on the contextual nature of language. Parents may employ a different language when visiting grandparents who speak the minority language, enrol their child at a monolingual school or even assign a certain area in the house, such as a language room, or even while holding chosen objects like a special book or sentimental item.

Time also plays a pivotal role, as parents can designate certain days of the week, weekends, hours in the day or even weeks at a time to speak a certain language, highlighting the power of T&P – it’s entirely up to the parents!

This also presents challenges. If too flexible, it may lack the consistency that is pivotal to instilling the minority language. It may also have similar challenges to OPOL, where children might understand the minority language, but reply in the native language.

Mixed Language Policy

The Mixed Language Policy, or MLP, encourages parents to speak freely and use languages interchangeably, creating a consistent stream of both languages to the child, without favouring one.

The arguments against MLP are that it creates confusion for children; however, this is contested. Another potential shortcoming is that it doesn’t allow enough monolingual conversations, so exposure to one language isn’t focused.

There are also Mixed Systems, or MS, where one parent only speaks a native language while the other speaks the native language and the minority language.

What Does the Science Say?

There has been extensive research examining bilingual and multilingual methods and their efficacy. According to Adam Beck, author of Bilingual Success Stories Around the World, OPOL has a success rate of 74.24%. While this sounds high, this is a considerable drop off when considering the prominence of OPOL.

In a study on 110 English-Spanish bilingual families in Madrid, the researchers found that:

• 54% used OPOL
• 29% used a variation of MS
• 13% use MLAH
• 2% used MLP

The effectiveness and prominence of these methods continue to be hotly debated, with many experts and families praising some methods while denouncing others. Ultimately, it’s about trial and error, and not adhering too strictly to one method. Read books, listen to podcasts, speak to friends and family, and borrow elements from different methods to see what works for you, as no two families are exactly alike!

Why it’s Important

You may be asking yourself: why bother? If you live in a monolingual country where almost all the places your child will work, study and live speak English, why go to the extents listed above?

In an interview with ABC, Sheila Ngoc Pham, host of the My Bilingual Family podcast, outlined that it goes beyond practicality to establish ‘greater empathy and understanding of difference and being able to understand different ways of speaking and thinking.’

In fact, this is exactly why teaching monolingual and bilingual children another language is so difficult. Language use is borne out of necessity, and if children don’t need the language, they often don’t appreciate the undertaking. The benefits are often cultural and psychological, however there is growing research to support improved cognitive function.

Languages are an avenue for families to connect with their homeland and pass down their tradition to their children. However, some believe that minority languages only last three generations in a new native country:

• 1^st Generation: strong in minority language, weak in native language.
• 2^nd Generation: strong in native language, weak in minority language.
• 3^rd Generation: strong in native language, speak little or no minority language. 

Manage Expectations

Dr Anikó Hastoss suggests that parents should manage expectations when teaching bilingual and monolingual children. Moreover, the native language will almost always become the dominant language due to school, friends and cultural influences.

In a 2015 study, one parent outlined how teaching bilingual children became a shared learning experience:

‘I read to my kids in Spanish, and then I try to read with the English that I know. If I’m saying a word wrong [in English], even if it’s with the little one, he says “no,” and corrects me. We learn together.’

Ultimately, structure and patience are key in teaching bilingual and monolingual children. It can be hard for them to understand, especially when they don’t see the tangible benefit. Try and make it fun, play games and show them why it means so much to you, your family and your heritage.

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