Glen Education Aspendale North 

Celebrating child’s voice in learning.

By Glen Aspendale North Educational Team 

We believe that valuing children’s voices is fundamental to creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. By actively listening to their ideas, questions, and interests, we craft collaborative learning experiences that resonate with them deeply and value their right to be heard, valued and respected in a safe and supportive environment. 

Gardening and sustainability - Our children’s keen interest in learning about First Nations peoples and their respect for the land inspired us to incorporate their knowledge into environmental care through gardening activities. Recently, we planted Hop Wattle trees and Black She Oaks and engaged in discussions about how native Indigenous plants were used for making shelters, firewood, boomerangs and spears. This exploration also led us to discuss how First Nations people were early scientists and used available resources in their everyday lives to solve practical problems and enhance their daily lives.

Encouraged by their enthusiasm for cooking and role-play, the children extended their learning by using natural materials such as sand, tanbark, and garden products to craft play food. Their interest evolved into creating a restaurant in our cubby, featuring cuisines from around the world. This activity naturally progressed to exploring the food cycle, which sparked discussions on healthy eating and sustainability. The children utilized fresh food scraps to prepare a meal for our worm farm, affectionately named "Our Underground Bistro."

To further deepen their understanding of waste management and recycling, we introduced various bins for waste separation and engaged the children in discussions about sorting waste into the correct bins. This approach 

builds on their prior knowledge and enhances their grasp of environmental responsibility. Our families are encouraged to participate and contribute to experiences that enhance children’s learning and development, one of our mothers will be extending our children’s interest in food and sharing her culture by making Gnocchi with the children. 

Children speak of their understanding of caring for their land through variety of ways. Recently, the children chose to design a river in the middle of our sandpit. They dug out a riverbed connected to our water pump and constructed bridges, islands, “Mordialloc Stream”, and swamps. The children’s creativity highlights their engagement and appreciation for environmental care through their play. 

Understanding and appreciation for our First responders (Emergency services)

At Glen ANK, educators recognize that children’s voices are expressed not only through their words but also through their body language, expressions, and other non-verbal signals. By attuning ourselves to both verbal and non-verbal cues, we aim to bridge the gap between the familiar and the unfamiliar, ensuring that each child feels secure and understood.

In response to the recent evacuation involving emergency services, we noted that some children were understandably distressed and had a limited understanding of these services. 

To address this, we organised an interactive session with Steph from Ambulance Victoria, who is also a parent in our community. Additionally, the children had the opportunity to explore the inside of the ambulance, further enhancing their understanding and easing their concerns. This hands-on experience allowed them to see the ambulance up close and learn more about its purpose in a supportive and reassuring environment