Goodstart Early Learning Armadale

For Reconciliation Week, the Toddler's room created a bush-inspired sensory tray 🌿

Filled with red clay, bark, ho**ey nuts, eucalyptus leaves and wildflowers, the children explored textures, scents and nature through play.

We added Australian animals and gathered together to discover, make animal sounds and spark imagination—especially enjoying the climbing dingoes and beautiful flowers!

🍂 Exploring Autumn Through Creativity 🍂

We are so lucky to be surrounded by large, shady trees at our centre—and even more so during Autumn when the leaves transform into beautiful colours and gently fall to the ground for the children to explore.

The children enjoyed collecting leaves during their outdoor play and extended this experience by using them in a creative activity. Using paintbrushes, they carefully brushed glue onto paper and arranged their leaves to create their own unique artworks.

It was wonderful to see the children reflect on their learning, making connections between collecting the leaves and using them in their gluing experience. This activity supported creativity, fine motor skills, and encouraged children to engage with the natural environment around them.

🍁 Nature truly provides the best learning opportunities! 🍁

🎨 Building Confidence Through Creative Expression 🎨

To support growing confidence, we set up an art experience that encouraged creativity and self-expression. This experience also provided wonderful learning opportunities across the group.

Fine motor skills were explored through the use of different-sized tools, supporting pincer grip development. Language and communication skills were strengthened as children engaged in conversation and expressed their ideas during play.
Some of the wonderful moments we heard:

“Another one.”
“More, more.”
“White,” to communicate a choice of paint colour.

One child remained engaged for an extended period, carefully dipping matchsticks into paint and tapping them onto paper, creating unique lines and swirls.

A beautiful example of how art experiences support confidence, communication, fine motor development, and creativity all at once. 🌈✨