Benowa Children's Centres

🌿 A Day of Little Explorers: Potions, Plants & Big Feelings

Yesterday, our Muni Room was buzzing with curiosity, imagination and discovery as our little explorers enjoyed a day filled with science, sensory experiences, caring for nature and learning about big feelings. 🧪🌱💛

We began our day together on the mat with our welcome song, where the children enthusiastically joined in with the singing and actions. We then enjoyed our story of the day, Wise Owl at Home. Inspired by the story, we introduced a simple breathing technique called “Smell the flower, blow the candle.” 🌸🕯️

The children learned that slow, deep breaths can help our bodies and minds feel calm when we are feeling scared, angry or worried. We talked about different emotions and gave the children an opportunity to share their own experiences. It was wonderful to see the children confidently talk about their feelings while listening and showing care and respect towards their friends.

Then it was time for some hands-on science and sensory exploration! 🧪✨

Outside, the children gathered around the tuff tray for an exciting potion-making experience. Using bath bombs, colourful gems, water, bowls and a variety of scooping, pouring and stirring tools, the children became little scientists investigating what would happen when they mixed different materials together.

There was plenty of excitement as the bath bombs fizzed, dissolved and changed the colour and texture of the water! The children watched closely, experimented with different combinations and used their imaginations to create their very own magical potions. They shared their ideas with educators and friends and became deeply engaged in transferring, mixing, pouring and stirring.

Our little scientists were also busy developing their fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities and critical-thinking skills as they worked out how to use the different tools and containers.

Inspired by Wise Owl at Home, we also became garden helpers. 🌱💧 The children took turns filling the watering cans and carefully watering our plants. They noticed the wet soil and talked about how plants need water to grow.

It was beautiful to see the children taking responsibility for caring for our environment and developing a growing understanding of the natural world around them.

Through today's experiences, the children explored science, sensory play, imaginative thinking, communication, emotional awareness, social development, environmental responsibility and independence—all while having lots of fun!

What a wonderful day of little explorers, curious minds, big feelings and magical discoveries! 🌿🧪🌈💛

For families with children who want to join a sport, fitness or other eligible activities.

🌟 VACATION CARE BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN! 🌟

The wait is over! 🎉 Our Vacation Care Program is officially released and ready for bookings! 🚌✨

We have an action-packed program planned with exciting adventures, fun activities, special incursions and excursions, creative experiences and plenty of opportunities to make amazing holiday memories! 🥳🎨🏃‍♀️🔬

📱 Ready to book?
Check your OWNA App to view the program and find the boking form.

📧 Alternatively, email us at [email protected]

🏠 Or pop into the Centre and collect a Booking Form from our team.
⚠️ DON’T MISS OUT! Our program is already filling fast, and some of our most popular days are expected to book quickly!

We can’t wait to spend the holidays with you! 💙🧡

Please wear your jeans and if you would like to donate to this wonderful cause please use this link
https://fundraise.jeansforgenes.org.au/event/jeans-for-genes/donate

Thank you, OSHC educators 💙

For providing safe & supportive environments 🏫
For helping children to learn, play and grow 🌱
For being there in those crucial wraparound hours 🕒

We're celebrating OSHC Educators Day today, but the relationships and sense of community you build makes a lasting difference for children every day.

Please take a moment to let the OSHC educators in your life know how valued they are 🙌

Help support one of our Vacation care partners.
Come join us for a fun night, we have lots of raffle prizes to be won including a $300 voucher from Krakin Automotive, framed needleworks, an indigenous hanging print donated by our CEO Jenny, a $250 cake voucher from Ellis in Wonderland Cake & Candy Creations, $50 voucher from Cineplex Nerang, $100 voucher from EMF jnr Nerang, Vouchers from KDV sports, Level Up, Big Star Circus lesson and Goldsteins bakery just to name a few of the prizes on offer.
https://form.jotform.com/261782974908878 limited numbers still available.

🌋💥 What an EPIC day of discovery, creativity and messy fun! 💥🌋

Today our planned outdoor adventure erupted into an unforgettable science experience! After our morning yarning circle, everyone slipped on their sunscreen and headed outside, ready to become junior scientists.

Our children helped build their very own volcanoes using playdough, plastic bottles and natural materials like sand, rocks and leaves. To spark even more imagination, dinosaurs moved into the prehistoric landscape before the real excitement began!

🧪 With a sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda, a splash of vinegar and a few drops of red food colouring... BOOM! 🌋 Lava came bubbling over the volcano, filling the air with squeals of excitement, laughter and endless "Let's do it again!" moments.

The adventure didn't stop there! Inspired by the eruptions, the children continued their play in the sandpit, creating their own volcanoes, mixing sand and natural materials, and inventing exciting dinosaur worlds.

💚 While they were having fun, they were also developing so many important skills:
✨ Exploring science through hands-on investigation.
✨ Discovering cause and effect by experimenting with different ingredients.
✨ Building critical thinking by predicting, observing and discussing what happened.
✨ Using creativity and imagination to design their own volcanic landscapes.
✨ Strengthening teamwork, communication and collaboration as they worked together and shared ideas.

At Benowa Children's Centre, we love creating learning experiences that spark curiosity, encourage exploration and remind children that learning can be wonderfully messy! ❤️