ECEC centres around the country are gearing up and celebrating National Children's Week from the 22nd to the 30th of October in their own special way. Some are holding teddy bear picnics, others are choosing a more musical approach and celebrating with a percussion play day. Whatever you decide, here at Care for Kids, we're all about celebrating with fun, games and LOTS of activities.
So even if you have a main event planned to mark the week, we've gathered a collection of our favourite styles of play that you might like to incorporate throughout your week. Keep them in your pocket, you never know when you might need them!
Wet and Wild Water Play Fun For Kids
Water play can keep children entertained for hours, whether that involves custom-made water playgrounds or a simple, shallow tray full of water for little hands to splash about in. It’s also excellent for children’s development of hand-eye coordination and motor skills, as they learn to scoop it, tip it, splash it, stir it, and squeeze soaked sponges. Support children's development through water play with the help of basic water discovery and spray 'n' play games.
Why risky play is important for young children
Find out more about Risky Play. What exactly is it? Why should you implement even an element of it? How do you create risks in a safe environment? Find out how your early childhood education and care facility can create more opportunities for risky play. After all, your role as an early educator is to ensure that children have opportunities to enjoy all the benefits of risky play, but without any serious injuries taking place.
7 sensational sensory play ideas
Sensory play can support children's fine and gross motor development, cognitive growth, flexibility in thinking, confidence, problem solving and communication skills. While you could argue that most play is 'sensory', in one way or another in that it stimulates a child's senses, sensory play in early childhood settings implies a more deliberate and planned approach to an activity. Learn how to implement more sensory play into your day!
Hands-on science for early childhood
STEM learning is about exploring the world and asking questions about how or why something works, these skills are best developed through play and experimentation. Simple hands-on science projects are a wonderful way to engage preschool children in STEM and to nurture a lifelong interest in learning through exploration and experimentation.
Gardening activities for little green thumbs
There are many different ways to include gardening in your early childhood curriculum with activities that children of all ages can enjoy and participate in. Here, we look at a few ideas to get you inspired and learn some of the advantages of gardening for preschoolers.
Children in the Kitchen
Sure, it can be messy but messy is fun! Educate children in your Early Childhood Education and Care setting by teaching through sensory play in the kitchen. We've collated some great recipes that children will love to get their hands into and can be recreated at home with the most basic ingredients.
The official theme of National Children's week is "All Children have the right to a standard of living that supports their wellbeing and healthy development." You can learn more about National Children's Week through the Children's Week Council Of Australia.
