This year, Carey is placing a whole‑school focus on the value of Growth. As we prepare with the children and their families for the commencement of our Bush Kinder program next term, we will be exploring how the value of growth is demonstrated and experienced through our learning and time spent at this very special place together.
The Cockatoo (4YO) group has been exploring the concept of growth through shared reading and discussions in their ELC room. Their learning is reflected in individual illustrations depicting growth in nature, further supported by hands‑on experiences such as cooking, seed saving from fruits and vegetables, and planting and observing seeds as they develop. In the Echidna (3YO) room, children have been exploring and expressing their understanding of growth through recent birthday celebrations and recognising their own development and change.
The natural beauty of Mullum Mullum Linear Reserve provides a stunning backdrop for our Bush Kinder sessions, offering the children an environment where growth is visible in every direction. Towering trees create a majestic canopy above, while smaller shrubs and rich undergrowth form quiet places to sit, wonder and observe nature’s rhythms. By returning to the same site each week, the children develop a deep, personal connection to this landscape – learning to recognise it, notice subtle changes and appreciate the healthy growth of plants and wildlife. As they explore gently and respectfully, they come to understand how all living things flourish when their habitats remain undisturbed. In this way, the beauty of the bush becomes both a teacher and a symbol of growth itself.
The children experience deep individual growth as they learn about themselves through play in nature. Each child approaches challenges with personal curiosity – walking on uneven ground, navigating new spaces, balancing on rocks, climbing, running and exploring both small and expansive play areas at their own pace. As they lift, carry, push and pull natural objects, collecting sticks, leaves, bark and feathers, they build not only physical strength but also confidence in their own emerging capabilities.
This personal learning is meaningful, offering intrinsic rewards that come from achieving something through one’s own effort. Loris Malaguzzi, foundational philosopher of Reggio Emilia, highlights this in his well‑known reflection ‘nothing without joy’, reminding us that the challenges and moments of difficulty a child works through independently often lead to the greatest joy.
As we learn to be at Bush Kinder together, the children also discover how learning in groups can help them grow in new and meaningful ways. In these shared experiences, they begin to understand that collaboration often strengthens their learning when they work together to solve a problem, support a friend who is unsure, or celebrate a moment of discovery as a team. Through these interactions, children develop important social and emotional skills: listening carefully, sharing ideas, negotiating roles, taking turns and recognising that others may have different ideas.
The children come to understand that, just as everything in nature is interconnected – the sky, rivers, land, animals and plants – so too are people connected to one another. As we learn on Country, we acknowledge and respect First Nations perspectives and their long history of a rich relationship with the land.
Recognising our place within this web of life and understanding that growth happens both individually and together is a valuable life skill that we all need. Bush Kinder offers the children a rich landscape in which to explore who they are, how they connect with others and how they engage with the natural world.
We are very excited to be beginning our Bush Kinder program next term with both our 3YO and 4YO groups and we look forward to witnessing the many forms of growth – personal, social, cultural and environmental – that will unfold as the children and educators learn, play and wonder together in this beautiful place.
Anne Fahey, ELC Director – Donvale campus
On behalf of the Donvale campus ELC team
