Kathy's Family Day Care

05/09/2026

🌈 Exploring Light, Colour and Shadows Through STEM

Today, the children investigated how sunlight travels through our transparent coloured blocks and creates colourful shadows.

First, we tested each block individually to observe how it transferred colour through the light. Then, we combined different blocks and discovered that yellow and blue created green, while other combinations produced surprising new shades.

This hands-on STEM experience encouraged the children to:

🔸 Make predictions and test their ideas
🔹 Explore light, transparency and colour mixing
🔸 Observe cause and effect
🔹 Experiment with position, angles and shadows
🔸 Develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills

Through experimenting, observing and trying again, the children were working like little scientists—learning that every discovery begins with curiosity. ☀️🔬🎨

05/09/2026

☕🦕 From Dinosaur Fossils to Beautiful Spring Flowers 🌸

Our naturally coloured coffee playdough was originally made for creating dinosaur fossils. After finishing their fossil exploration, the children asked me to show them how to make flowers like the blossoms and flowers growing in our garden.

They carefully watched my movements, followed each technique and shaped the playdough step by step. The results were truly amazing—each flower was beautiful and unique! 🌹

This experience supported the children’s observation, concentration, fine-motor skills and ability to learn through demonstration, while connecting their artwork with the natural beauty they see around them.

A wonderful example of how children’s interests can guide our programming and transform one experience into a completely new learning opportunity. 💛

05/09/2026

🌼 Spring and One of Our Favourite Adventures—Bugs! 🐞🦋🐌

When children’s curiosity guides the program, their learning becomes more meaningful, engaging and connected to their real experiences.

With the arrival of early spring, the children have become fascinated by the tiny creatures appearing around us. This growing interest has naturally become part of our ongoing program.

Together, we have been:

🐞 Observing bugs in our garden
🐌 Finding snail eggs and wondering what might happen next
🦗 Talking about different insects and watching educational videos
🦋 Excitedly waiting for our butterfly to hatch
🐜 Using plastic bugs in imaginative play while comparing their colours, shapes and sizes

One small discovery has developed into many opportunities for conversation, investigation, scientific thinking and respect for living things. We look forward to following the children’s questions and seeing where this spring adventure takes us next! 🌿🔍

02/09/2026

🌿 Celebrating Educators’ Day 🌿

Being an Early Childhood Educator has been part of my journey since 2012 — a journey filled with learning, growth, challenges, beautiful connections and countless little moments that have shaped the educator I am today. ❤️

Over the years, I have continued to build my knowledge, experience and professional practice, but one thing has never changed: my commitment to creating a safe, nurturing and meaningful environment where every child feels seen, supported and encouraged to explore and learn in their own way.

For me, early childhood education is much more than a profession. It is a responsibility, a privilege, and something I continue to grow into every single year.

Today, I’m simply grateful — for the journey, for the families who place their trust in me, and especially for all the little people who make this work so meaningful. 🌱

Happy Educators’ Day to all the wonderful educators making a difference, one little life at a time. ❤️

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

🌿💧 Based on Children’s Interests: When a Little Water Inspired Big Learning!

While enjoying the beautiful, mild weather, we went into the garden to walk around and explore the flowers. The children discovered a small amount of water in a plastic cup that we used for watering , and immediately became excited—touching it, moving it and wanting to explore more.

Following their spontaneous interest, I extended this moment into a sensory water-play experience using flowers, leaves, lemon slices, pinecones, natural materials, bowls and droppers.

Through this child-led investigation, the children explored:

💧 Squeezing and releasing droppers
🌊 Water volume and capacity
🍋 Colour, scent and taste
🌡️ Temperature and the sensation of cool and warm water
🌿 Different textures and natural materials
⬆️ Floating and sinking
🥣 Filling, pouring, transferring and mixing
🤔 Predicting, observing and discovering cause and effect

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, this experience shows how meaningful learning can emerge from a simple moment of curiosity. By listening to the children and responding to their interests, a little cup of water became a rich STEM investigation filled with sensory discovery, scientific thinking and joyful learning.

29/08/2026

KathysFamilyDayCare

29/08/2026

29/08/2026

🔥 One Material. Three Stations. Three Different Challenges.

Today, one simple material — matchsticks — became the foundation for three different learning challenges.

🥔 Station 1 – Pull: Children pulled matchsticks from a potato, strengthening their grip, finger muscles and controlled movement as they worked against the resistance.

🎯 Station 2 – Post: Matchsticks were carefully guided through a small opening in a cup, supporting hand–eye coordination, precision and concentration.

🔺 Station 3 – Build: Our older Kindy children used matchsticks to follow different patterns and shapes, developing spatial awareness, visual perception and early geometry skills.

🌿 What made this setup even more meaningful was our use of Remida resources. Repurposed materials, including the cup, foam packaging and station labels, were given a new role in our learning environment — beautifully connecting sustainability with Reggio Emilia-inspired practice.

One material, three levels of challenge, endless learning possibilities. ♻️✨