Learning Across the ELC

A Hundred Ways to Tell a Story

In Banksia Gold, our term inquiry, A Hundred Ways to Tell a Story, has led us to explore First Nations perspectives, including an art study of Paralpi (2026 NAIDOC Week poster feature artwork), and the many ways stories can be shared through art, symbols, marks and visual languages. As our inquiry unfolds, a thread of curiosity is emerging: 'How can we get our stories off the page?' We are exploring movement, materials, dramatic play and creative expression as ways to bring our stories to life. 

We hope you enjoy this little snapshot of the children’s thinking, creations and storytelling.

Emily Kohler and Gemma Francis

Banksia Gold

Gumnut Room Update

This term, our Gumnut Atelier inquiry focus is Cause and Effect. We are exploring how children learn through hands-on experiences, curiosity, experimentation and discovering how their actions can create change.

The children have been exploring cause and effect through a range of creative and physical experiences. During a collaborative black and white painting experience, they experimented with colour, texture, marks and movement across contrasting materials. Animal sounds played in the background encouraged imagination and inspired the children to connect what they heard with the marks and movements they created. Working together, they shared materials, ideas and space while developing creativity, communication and cooperation.

Building on their interest in trikes and spinning wheels, the children also explored loose parts, wheels, reels, tubes and ramps. They experimented with rolling different objects, changing ramp heights and adjusting materials to discover how their actions influenced movement. Through repeated exploration, the children developed early understandings of motion, speed, balance, force and gravity.

These experiences have encouraged the children to become curious investigators—observing, predicting, experimenting, problem-solving and making discoveries. They are developing confidence, creativity, fine motor skills, communication and early STEM thinking while expressing themselves through their many languages of learning.

Link to Early Years Learning Framework

Outcome 3 – Wellbeing: Developing coordination, fine motor skills, concentration and physical confidence.

Outcome 4 – Confident and Involved Learners: Building curiosity, persistence, creativity, experimentation and problem-solving skills.

Outcome 5 – Effective Communicators: Expressing ideas through art, movement, sounds and language while sharing discoveries with others.

Theorist – Jean Piaget: Children construct knowledge through active, hands-on exploration, using experimentation and trial and error to develop their understanding of cause and effect.

Sarah Hamlyn

ELC Educator