GEKA Murrumbeena 

Community Project:  Engaging in 'Spoonville' 

Carol Vassiliou, Early Childhood Teacher

Stage 3 restrictions saw the craze involving creating colourful spoon characters and planting them in villages around Melbourne. The crazy movement has caused a stir in the Glen Eira/Hughesdale area where most of our kindergarten children are part of the community. It is my understanding that the Spoonville craze commenced as a way of improving children's mental health during COVID-19 lockdowns, which is a brilliant idea. Parents using the activity as a break from distance learning by creating spoons or simply visiting and searching for the various Spoonville's in the area. 

This term, I found myself walking the neighbourhood a lot (within the 1 hour restriction time) and in my travels. I too came across various Spoonville communities and every time I saw a spoon village, I too became happy and excited as the many children who participated or simply walked by to observe and spend time looking at the variations of coloured spoons did. Honestly, it warmed my heart and did something to my wellbeing for that moment, as well as a chance to chat to people who were also uplifted in that moment and not concerned about the realities of COVID.

I felt compelled to take photos and a record of the wonderful Spoonville's that continued to grow every time i walked by. I suppose in the midst of this time of uncertainty, Spoonville has provided many children a sense of happiness and BELONGING to a community that have come together to support and provide this wonderful experience for the children (and secretly) for the enjoyment of many adults like myself. 

Stay safe everyone and look out for a "Spoonville" nearest to you, a remedy for happiness!