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Is your little one struggling with separation anxiety? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Read on for our list of 7 strategies to help manage the transition into childcare.

Separation anxiety is a normal part of a child’s development and can be just as stressful for parents as it is for children. It’s not uncommon for the little ones to experience separation anxiety during the transition to starting childcare.

As children develop and grow, they become more aware of their surroundings and develop a strong attachment to their primary caregiver (i.e. you). This attachment provides them with a sense of safety and security, making them feel protected and loved. Therefore, when a child is separated from their caregiver, they may feel uncertain, scared or anxious.

Rest assured, this usually doesn’t last long as children adapt to their settings quicker than you might think. However, having a structured plan in place to manage this transition can do wonders in saving you and your little one the unnecessary stress.

In this post, we list seven ways to help your child cope with separation anxiety.

1. Explain What Will Happen

It’s important that your child understands where they are, why you’re leaving and that you’ll come back. Tell them that they’ll play their favourite game with their friends, have a tasty lunch and get to play outside. 

Additionally, let them know what time you’ll come to pick them up. You don’t have to give them the exact minute, but something as simple as ‘I’ll be back to pick you up after afternoon tea’ can mean the world to a child. Likewise, a settled routine can make the transition into care, primary school or just visiting friends much easier for children who thrive on structure and predictability.

2. Create a Goodbye Routine

Developing a special goodbye routine with your little one every time you drop off can do wonders in easing separation anxiety. This could include a special handshake, a hug, a kiss or anything that’s meaningful to you and your child. Establishing a consistent routine can help your child feel more secure and less anxious when you leave.

3. Speak with the Centre Team

Our Educators are knowledgeable, understanding and, most of all, caring! They understand that while many children ease into care seamlessly, others require a gentler transition process. Together with your child’s Room Leader, you can develop a plan to help your child adjust. 

This could include providing extra attention and reassurance during the transition period, phone calls to your child’s room to check in with the Educators, and plenty of positive encouragement and praise throughout the day from both parents and Educators alike.

4. Establish Familiarity 

Some families may choose to start with bookings of just two or three days a week to ease their child into care. However, more days early on builds consistency and fast tracks a child’s familiarity with their new environment.

When commencing at Explorers, all children attend an Orientation Session to familiarise themselves with the Educators, environment and other children. If you feel your child needs more time, you can book an extra Orientation Session to help your child further adjust to their new learning spaces.

Additionally, research has shown that familiarity is perhaps the most important factor for reducing stress during periods of separation, as ‘at around 10 months, most babies get upset if a stranger comes up to them in an unfamiliar room. Only 50% get upset if they have time to get used to the room. This means that in new situations, babies cope better when they come across new things gradually.’

Before commencing care, you can also practise time apart at home by leaving your child with a family member for increasing amounts of time, ‘I’m just going into the garden for a bit. Pop will look after you while I’m gone.’

5. Provide Comfort Items

A comfort item, such as a stuffed animal or favourite blanket, can help your child feel more secure about entering an unfamiliar environment. It’s like taking a little bit of home with them. Therefore, comfort items provide children a sense of reassurance and companionship, which can help them calm down, sleep and even join in on activities. 

Be sure to provide plenty of positive attention and encouragement for your little one’s comfort item, whether it be a teddy, a blanket or even a piece of clothing.

6. Stay Calm and Be Patient

It’s important to be patient when dealing with even the most anxious child, even if their crying and tantrums are making you anxious. Reacting with frustration or being negative about their experience will only make the situation more challenging. Moreover, be relaxed and cheerful so your child knows they’re somewhere safe, as children have a remarkable ability to identify – and imitate – the actions of adults.

7. Keep Goodbyes Short and Sweet

Kiss and go. Lingering with your child will only prolong the experience and can make it worse for the both of you. If you feel your child is really struggling to adapt their new play space, try and spend a little time with them doing something they enjoy in the room or outside at pick up to help them feel more comfortable and confident.

When to Seek Help for Separation Anxiety

Although separation anxiety usually goes away on its own, it’s important to be aware that it can develop into Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD). This disorder develops when it:

• interferes with your child’s life and your family life.
• is more severe than the anxiety of other children the same age.
• has gone on for at least 4 weeks.

If you’re concerned about your child’s separation anxiety, it’s important to speak with your child’s healthcare provider or your Centre Leadership Team for guidance and support.

In conclusion, separation anxiety is a normal part of a child’s development. While it can be challenging, there are several things that you can do to help manage separation anxiety and make the transition smoother. By establishing a consistent routine, gradually increasing separation time and providing reassurance, you can ease your child’s anxiety and build their confidence for childcare, primary school and the world beyond.

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

Happy World Wildlife Day! This day raises awareness for global conservation efforts. Read on for our 5 fun ways to celebrate this important day!

World Wildlife Day is observed annually on 3 March to raise awareness for global wildlife conservation efforts. Likewise, it’s a chance to celebrate the amazing biodiversity of plant and animal life which inhabit our planet.

Each year, World Wildlife Day has a specific theme that focuses on a different aspect of wildlife preservation and protection. This year’s theme is ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation.’

To celebrate World Wildlife Day, we’ve listed five fun ways you can get your little one out in nature and learning about the importance of sustainability.

1. Make a Garden

Not only does gardening get children active, but it also teaches them about responsibility as they learn to care for a living thing. You can create a special space in your backyard for your little one to plant seeds, water them and watch them grow. Additionally, you can incorporate different plant species, build birdhouses and add homemade decorations like coloured rocks and little signs. This is a wonderful way to teach children the beauty of natural spaces and how they can help protect them.

At Explorers, we encourage budding green thumbs through our One World, One Planet program. Our Garden and Sustainability Teacher regularly visits the Centres, introducing children to the joys of gardening, sustainability and watching things grow.

2. Go on a Nature Walk

A nature walk is a great way to get your little one exploring the world. Take your child to a local park, nature reserve or lake and encourage them to observe the plants and animals in their natural ecosystem. To help out, Museums Victoria has a Field Guide smartphone app to help you identify different species. Try making a game of it by seeing how many you can find!

3. Make Wildlife-Themed Crafts

Arts and crafts are perfect for engaging children’s creativity and teaching them about wildlife. You can make animal masks, bird feeders or even create a mini ecosystem in a jar. All you need is a clear bottle, some patches of moss, soil and small rocks!

Otherwise, loose parts and recycled materials are ideal for teaching children about recycling, while also letting them flex their creative muscles. At Explorers, we gather loose parts through our Recycle Stations and repurpose them in new and exciting ways. These experiences teach children about sustainability, recycling and waste reduction.

4. Visit the Zoo or Aquarium

A trip to the Melbourne Zoo is a fun and educational activity to help children learn about different species and their habitats. Not only is the Melbourne Zoo globally recognised in zoo management, but it also offers a host of child-friendly activities. There are picnics, toy animals, maps with fun facts, interactive activities and educational programs for the children.

Alternatively, the Melbourne Aquarium is the perfect weekend activity. In fact, the World Wildlife Day theme just a few years ago was, ‘Life below water: for people and planet.’ The Aquarium regularly champions conservation efforts through their partnership with SEA Life Trust.

5. Read Wildlife-Themed Books

Reading wildlife themed books introduces children to different species and their habitats while also stimulating their imagination. You can read them as a family and discuss the themes and lessons of the story. Thankfully, there are many wonderful children’s books from Australian authors available that teach about animals, their behaviour and their environment. Just a few examples include:

🐭 Bilby Secrets by Edel Wignell and illustrated by Mark Jackson
🐟 Saving the Spotted Handfish by Gina Newton and illustrated by Rachel Tribou
🦘 Jumping Joeys by Sarah Allen
🌏 Big World, Tiny World: Reef by Jess Racklyeft

In conclusion, World Wildlife Day is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the significance of conservation and the amazing diversity in nature. With these child-friendly activities, you can engage your child’s curiosity about the natural world and pave the way for the next generation of world leaders. After all, 2017’s World Wildlife Day theme was ‘Listen to the Young Voices’, which speaks volumes about the wisdom of even the littlest among us.  

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

Is your toddler going through a hitting phase? Read on for the science behind why this is normal – and how to deal with it.

Watching your toddler hitting, pushing or even biting their peers can be embarrassing and stressful for first-time and veteran parents alike. What follows is often guilt, anger and that nagging imposter syndrome – am I a bad parent?

The short answer is no. You’re not a bad parent if you catch your toddler hitting or pushing others. In fact, it’s a common phase in early childhood.

In this post, we look at the science behind why your toddler may be hitting others, and some ways to use this as a learning opportunity to teach boundaries, social skills and emotional regulation.

1. Empathy

The development of empathy is a major factor in toddler hitting. In short, empathy is the capacity to understand the feelings of others and to put yourself into their shoes.

However, a common misconception is that empathy is genetic. This is untrue. Rather, empathy is a skill that must be taught, practised and developed over time.  

Studies show that toddlers begin developing genuine empathy at around two years old. This can take many forms after a child sees another in distress, including:

• Offering to share their food.
• Giving them a toy or comfort item.
• Hugging or showing affection.
• Reacting in distress themselves.

However, developing empathy sometimes causes toddlers to lash out. For example, if another child has a sore stomach and is showing clear signs of pain (facial expressions, crying, holding their stomach), a toddler may actually hit the child in the stomach. Yet, this isn’t an act of malice or cruelty. Rather, the toddler doesn’t understand how to approach the situation that’s made them feel uncomfortable, resulting in ‘aggression’ towards the problem area.

2. Sensory Exploration

Children love to touch, see and smell the world around them. This is a result of their developing neurochemistry, as they begin to create a more three-dimensional understanding of their environment.

However, they still lack proper social skills and spatial awareness. Therefore, children may ‘squeeze, pinch, push, and kick other children’ to experience their surroundings and participate in social interactions in the only way they know how. 

3. Power

It’s important to understand that children aren’t pushing out of cruelty. Dr. Gwen Dewar put it best, suggesting this sort of behaviour reflects a lack of impulse control, rather than malice.

Likewise, children are essentially powerless. Beyond being physically small, they lack the financial, intellectual and social means to exert any real power over the world around them, and this continues well into childhood and adolescence. Therefore, when toddlers exert power over another and get a real reaction, it’s mind-blowing for them.

Dr Laura Markham outlines how this feeling of power is key to why your child is acting out:

They are learning how to have an impact on the world, which means they are learning how to use power. So, they experiment with physical force, to see what happens. Add to this a child who is physically larger than his peers, and you get a kid who is likely to experiment with using physical force against others.

4. Managing Toddler Hitting

Firstly, try not to punish them. This can be difficult as parents tend to react with anger or shame if their child hits or pushes another, which is understandable. Likewise, we tend to view toddler hitting from our adult point-of-view, where such acts are unthinkable in everyday social situations.

However, this intense reaction is likely to have the opposite effect, according to Dr. Markham:

Punishing him won’t help the situation because it just teaches him that bigger people can use force on smaller people, which is exactly what you’re trying to show him is not ok.

Rather, it’s more effective to have a calm – but firm – talk with your child. Dr. Markham recommends removing your child from the situation immediately and taking the opportunity to explain why hitting others is never okay. Additionally, she suggests that preparing children in advance can be helpful, as overstimulation and unpredictability are common causes for overstepping boundaries.

If you get mad, you tell me, and I will help you, ok? If you forget and push, we will need to stop having fun and leave right away. So, let’s remember to keep our hands on our own bodies and have fun with the other boys, ok?

Lastly, demonstrating empathy for the hurt child is a subtle way of implying disapproval of your child’s actions.

Oh no, poor Charlie is crying. I think that really upset him.

5. Be Patient

Overall, it’s important to understand that this is a phase that toddlers outgrow as their empathy and social awareness develop. Yet, it can still be a particularly challenging time for parents due to complicated emotions and social embarrassment (nobody wants to be that parent with the pushy child).

Rest assured – it will pass. You’re not a bad parent and your child isn’t a monster. They’re just learning how to navigate a world filled with social cues, interactions, conventions and unspoken rules that even adults sometimes forget.

They’ll learn and become better for it. Just remember to stay calm, don’t overthink it and give yourself some credit – you’re doing great!

🍃 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! 

Need a new read for the little one? See below for our list of 7 Aussie children’s books that are sure to get your child reading this Christmas!

Christmas is just around the corner, which means books, movies and carols filled with snow, woolly sweaters, pecan pie and mugs of piping hot cocoa. However, you’ve probably noticed that these Christmas conventions hardly represent a typical Australian Christmas.

So, to get your little ones into the Christmas spirit, we’ve listed our favourite children’s books that tell the story of how it’s done in Australia, complete with BBQs, summer, backyard cricket, party hats and (too many) Christmas cracker jokes. These books are perfect to read with children, while also supporting local Aussie creatives!

1. Bin Chicken and the Christmas Turkey by Jol Temple, Kate Temple and Ronojoy Ghosh (Illustrator)

In recent years, the humble Australian white ibis – better known as bin chickens, tip turkeys and picnic pirates – has become something of an Australian icon. Bin Chicken and the Christmas Turkey hilariously chronicles the journey of one such bin chicken – and his feathery friends – as he learns the magic of Christmas.

2. An Aussie Night Before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison and Kilmeny Niland (Illustrator)

If you’re wondering why this is such an Aussie Christmas classic, look no further than the blurb:

Christmas in the middle of an Australian summer means Santa has to find new ways to deliver his presents. The obvious solutions are to don a sunhat, shorts and a pair of thongs, not to mention ditching the sleigh and reindeer in favour of some roos and a ute. 

Morrison’s charming depiction of Australian Christmas pairs perfectly with Niland’s vibrant illustrations to produce a captivating image of Christmas down under.

3. Christmas Wombat by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley (Illustrator)

Christmas from a wombat’s point of view – what’s not to love? French is at her brilliant best with this playful story of a wombat’s quest for carrots. Reindeer, chimneys and even Santa himself won’t get in the way!

This is the perfect story to get children reading and thinking about healthy eating.

4. The Twelve Days of Christmas Island by Teresa Lagrange

The Twelve Days of Christmas Island is beautiful in its simplicity. Lagrange, who wrote and illustrated this wonderful book, cleverly adopts the format of the twelve days of Christmas to explore Australia flora and fauna. Naturally, this forms a memorable page-turner that you’ll be reading over and over again with the little ones!

5. An Aussie Christmas Gum Tree by Jackie Hosking and Nathaniel Eckstrom (Illustrator)

An Aussie Christmas Gum Tree stars possums, kookaburras and kangaroos as they venture through the great outback. Possum, and his Christmas crew, then embark on a noble journey to spread the Christmas spirit by decorating a gum tree with trinkets, ornaments and all sorts of quirky objects. Eckstrom’s artistic style and Hosking’s brilliant story bring the outback to life in this fanciful tale of Australian Christmas.

6. Christmas Always Comes by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley (Illustrator)

Christmas Always Comes also takes place in the familiar Australian setting of the outback. Santa, not one to give up on his promise to deliver presents, searches the dusty roads of the outback for farmer’s children. Little Joey, however, knows that Christmas always comes. Whatley’s beautiful illustrations perfectly embody the Australian bush and French’s story brings this story of belief and perseverance to life.

7. What Do You Wish For? by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker (Illustrator)

Bestselling duo Godwin and Walker team up again to create this touching Christmas hit. What Do You Wish For? is an exploration of children’s tendency to wish and dream, but Ruby isn’t like her friends. While some children wish for skateboards and puppies, Ruby understands that Christmas is about more than just the presents. Through this story, Godwin and Walker teach children to appreciate what they have, as well highlighting why the truly special things in life can’t be granted by a wish.

Overall, any form of reading is a wonderful way to bond with your child, as well as developing their emotional and creative skills. Additionally, reading improves children’s cognitive functions, intelligence and understanding of the world around them. Be sure to check out our blog on Book Week to learn all about the importance of reading at an early 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!