Learning Through Play at Preschool 

Teddy Bear Picnic

In our efforts to seek further opportunities to demonstrate kindness to others outside of our preschool to the wider community, our preschoolers have participated in a recent Teddy Bear Picnic Day. They each brought a new toy to donate for children at Westmead Children's Hospital, as well as a 'loved stuffy' from home that they could have a picnic with at preschool. Educators engaged in conversations with our preschoolers about:

What it is like to feel unwell.

What acts of kindness could we do together to help sick children - “How can we cheer up children who are unwell in hospital?”

The role of toys in making children feel happy.

Following discussions and brainstorming sessions, it was decided that a special act of kindness would be to make and send a special card with our donated toys to put a smile on the faces of children in hospital. The children have enjoyed using their creative energies to create a group card.

We were overwhelmed with the generosity of our preschool families. The toys were donated over the holidays and we received a certificate of appreciation from Westmead Children's Hospital.