Cuddlez Preschool & Montessori

Children’s Rights in Action: Little Adventures – We Design, We Choose, We Play (5.1.2)

Every child has the right to express their ideas, make choices, and actively participate in their learning. During our outdoor "Little Adventures – We Design, We Choose, We Play" experience, children collaborated to design and build their own obstacle courses using wooden blocks and tyres. They shared ideas, selected materials, solved problems, and confidently explored their creations through climbing, balancing, jumping, and stepping. This child-led experience supported children's agency, strengthened their sense of identity and belonging, and promoted wellbeing through active movement, coordination, confidence, and teamwork.

Celebrating Children's Rights Through Creativity (5.1.2)

As part of our Children's Rights celebrations, children expressed their appreciation by drawing their teachers and decorating their artwork with natural materials such as leaves, flowers, and twigs. This meaningful activity encouraged creativity, self-expression, and respect for nature while recognising every child's right to participate, be heard, and share their ideas in a supportive learning environment.

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Inspiring Music Lessons at School (community involvment)

Our students enjoyed a wonderful music lesson led by a talented musician. Through rhythm, melody, and creativity, children explored the joy of music while building confidence and teamwork skills. A memorable learning experience that inspired young minds and nurtured a love for the arts.

Children Dream Big: Rights of the Child (5.1.2)

Every child has the right to express their dreams and aspirations. Today, children shared what they want to be when they grow up, showing creativity, confidence, and hope for the future. Let’s support their voices and encourage their ambitions.

Dignity and Rights of the Child – Skin Is Just a Colour, We Are All Special (5.1.2)

Today, the children eagerly participated in a meaningful learning experience titled **“Skin Is Just a Colour – We Are All Special.”** This activity supported children’s understanding of **Element 5.1.2 – Dignity and Rights of the Child**, encouraging respect, inclusion, and acceptance of all people.

Through a thoughtfully prepared play space featuring dolls with a variety of skin tones, the children explored diversity in a hands-on and age-appropriate way. They independently dressed the dolls, fixed their clothing, styled their hair, and cared for them with gentle and nurturing interactions.

These experiences helped children understand that although people may look different, everyone deserves kindness, respect, and equal rights. The activity also supported the development of empathy, belonging, and positive social attitudes in a caring and inclusive environment.

Following the Footprints of Dreaming Stories (Aboriginal Visit)

The children enjoyed listening to Dreaming stories about the platypus and emu shared by Aunty Karen. To extend their learning, Aunty Karen hid platypus and emu figures throughout the environment for the children to discover. Excitedly searching for clues, the children worked together to find each figure, demonstrating teamwork, persistence, problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm for learning. This engaging experience supported children's confidence and inquiry skills (LO4).

How to Reach Cuddlez? Following the Paths of Traditional Aboriginal Mapping
The children explored how Aboriginal Peoples traditionally shared knowledge about places, journeys, and important landmarks through stories, symbols, natural materials, and connections to Country. Inspired by these traditional ways of mapping, the children created their own Aboriginal-inspired map using wool, stones, and natural materials.
Together, they represented Cuddlez Preschool with a heart shape, roads and pathways with thread, and themselves with stones. As they worked, the children discussed places that were important to them and explored how maps can tell stories about people, places, journeys, and connections to Country.
This hands-on experience encouraged creativity, concentration, and a strong sense of identity as the children proudly contributed their ideas and shared their understanding with one another. (Learning Outcomes 1, 4 & 5)
We thank Aunty Kalyeen and Aunty Mary for helping us learn about the rich traditions of Aboriginal culture and how people shared knowledge of the land, pathways, and places long before modern maps existed.

A Garden Visit with Aboriginal Elders

Our children enjoyed a special garden visit with Aboriginal community members, who shared valuable knowledge about native plants, traditional ways of living, and how natural resources were used for first aid in the past. The children listened with interest, asked questions, and explored the garden while learning about Aboriginal culture and connection to Country. It was a meaningful experience that fostered respect, curiosity, and appreciation for Indigenous knowledge.

What’s in the Dilly Bag? – Aboriginal Cultural Visit-

We were honoured to welcome Aunty Karen, Aunty Marry, and Aunty Kaleen to Cuddlez Preschool for a meaningful Aboriginal cultural experience that connected our children with nature, community, and Country.

To begin the experience, the children visited a nearby park carrying a beautiful dilly bag gifted by our special visitors. As they walked together, they joyfully sang “What’s in my dilly bag?” while exploring the natural environment around them.

Aunty Kaleen shared valuable knowledge about Caring for Country, explaining how, in the past, bark from certain trees was traditionally used as a bandage and as bedding for sleeping. The children listened with great interest and carefully observed the trees, leaves, and natural surroundings, developing a deeper appreciation for nature and the environment.
Upon returning to the centre, the children eagerly gathered to explore the treasures they had collected in their dilly bag. They proudly shared their discoveries and discussed their observations from the walk, strengthening their communication skills, confidence, and sense of belonging.

This enriching experience supported the children’s understanding of Aboriginal culture, respect for the environment, and connection to Country while fostering outcomes from the Early Years Learning Framework (LO1 & LO5).

A heartfelt thank you to Aunty Kayleen , Aunty Marry, and Aunty Kaleen for sharing their knowledge, stories, and culture with our children. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal perspectives and deepen our connection with the land on which we live, learn, and play. ❤️💛🖤