Tokens of Love activity allows children to create drawings, notes and even some spoil mum vouchers for mum to enjoy this Mother's Day, all stored in a uniquely decorated paper mache heart. Plus, children can continue to add to the heart for years to come, continuing to spread messages of love and appreciation.

Here’s how to make it:

1. Fold the paper circles in half and then half again.
2. Cut along the folds so you have four individual quarters of the circle. 
3. On the one side of the circle quarters have the children write and draw notes of appreciation and love for their mother*.
4. Once they’re finished writing their notes use the ladybirds and any other crafty resources to decorate the Paper Mache Heart.
5. Slip in your notes! Don’t forget to tell children to continue to post messages to mum anytime they like. (You could even add a magnet to the back.)

*If you need a larger space than the quarter circles to write on, leave the circles whole and place the folded circle into the heart.

At ABC School Supplies, we believe that every child deserves the chance to explore the wild, even from the comfort of the classroom. With our Journey Through the Wild: Let’s Investigate Safari Footprints activity, you can take young learners on an adventure across forests, rivers, and savannas — all while using products designed to support hands-on learning.

From their first encounter with a story about the world's most brilliant animals to the moment they press a Safari Footprint Stone into clay, children can grow, share, and find joy in the journey.

Our Journey Through the Wild resources help bring the subject of safari animals to life. These materials are perfect for engaging curious minds, encouraging young learners to ask questions like:

• Which animals leave the biggest footprints?
• What do animals eat in the wild?
• How far do zebras and elephants travel to find water?

Using ABC School Supplies' range of small-world safari animals, footprint stones, and classroom essentials, you can help children explore the truth behind the footprints, learning about claws, hooves, and paws.

Set up a water tray to mimic an African waterhole using sand, soil, and ABC School Supplies Safari Stones. As the animals gather to drink, children can:

• Match animals to their footprints.
• Create impressions in clay.
• Tell stories about predators on the hunt.

This is not only a fun sensory experience but also helps young learners develop fine motor skills as they get hands-on with the materials.

The world of safari wildlife is filled with creatures that are bigger, faster, and louder than you might expect. With the help of ABC School Supplies, you can compare wildlife facts in the classroom:

• Tallest animal on land at over 5m.
• Mark out 5m with our measuring tools to show how tall that really is.

• Heaviest land animal, weighing over 6000kg.
• Use our life-size elephant footprint template for painting and comparing sizes.

• Fastest on land, reaching speeds of 70mph.
• Use timers to see how fast your class can run 10m!

• Biggest cat with a roar that can be heard five miles away.
• Challenge your class: who has the loudest roar?

Role-play is a perfect way to continue the journey. With simple props from ABC School Supplies like craft paper, glue, and recycled materials, children can make:

• Binoculars from toilet rolls.
• Safari maps with wildlife stickers.
• Hats to keep the sun out while they explore the wild.

Encourage them to move like animals: prowl like a lion, chase like a cheetah, or waddle like a hippo. The music from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns is able to add atmosphere as they move together.

Pair the Journey Through the Wild with these children's books for even more learning:

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
• Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
• The Ugly Five by Julia Donaldson
• The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright

Each book helps tell the story of life in the wild, adding depth and excitement to your classroom experience.

At ABC School Supplies, we know how hard it is to be able to find high-quality educational resources that engage children and support teachers. Our website is currently stocked with products that are perfect for building a beautiful, hands-on safari experience.

Since our beginnings, we’ve been passionate about creating tools that help educators show the truth behind the stories we share with young minds. From the smallest footprint stone to the largest role-play setup, our products make it easy to leave a lasting impression.

Imagine stepping back in time, walking the same ancient trackways as the dinosaurs. Tracing ancient routes isn’t just for scientists—it’s an exciting way for children to explore history, nature, and movement through hands-on learning. With ABC School Supplies’ engaging resources, young learners can investigate dinosaur footprints, uncover fascinating insights, and develop key skills in an interactive way.

Dinosaur footprints provide real-life evidence of how these incredible creatures moved across the land thousands of years ago. Scientists study these trackways to establish important facts about dinosaurs, including their size, speed, and behaviour. With ABC School Supplies’ Dinosaur Footprint Stones, children can recreate their own ancient route indoors or outside.

Recreate the thrill of discovering ancient dinosaur footprints by setting up an interactive fossil excavation.

• Roll out play dough or sand in a tray.
• Press ABC’s footprint stones into the surface to create a trail.
• Partially cover the prints with leaves or loose material to encourage investigation.

Ask children:

• What animal might have left this footprint?
• How large would this dinosaur have been?
• What does the shape of the foot indicate about its movement?
• Could it have been hunting or running away from a predator?

Take this outdoors by creating a trackway in the sand leading to hidden dinosaur figures. Encourage children to carefully track the footprints, just like real palaeontologists!

Children love to dig, unearth, and investigate! ABC School Supplies’ excavation kits provide a simple and exciting way to explore ancient routes.

• Equip children with tools like magnifying glasses, brushes, and clipboards.
• Bury footprint stones in a sandpit or soil for children to uncover.
• Encourage them to brush away loose sand and examine fine details like claws and scales.
• Record findings by making footprint rubbings with wax crayons or pressing them into clay.
• Set up an outdoor scavenger hunt with dinosaur figures to match footprints to the correct species.

By analysing different footprints, children can understand about dinosaurs' movement and characteristics.

• Sort footprint stones based on different features: number of toes, size, or shape.
• Match footprints to images or figures of dinosaurs.
• Research dinosaur facts together: How fast did they move? What did they eat? Were they solitary or did they travel in groups?

Bring the scale of dinosaurs to life by creating life-sized footprint comparisons.

• Draw a dinosaur footprint on a large sheet of paper or chalk it onto the ground.
• Compare it to children’s feet by tracing their outlines inside.
• See how many children’s footprints fit inside one dinosaur track.
• Turn it into an interactive game by hopping from one footprint to another, following the dinosaur’s route.

Introduce key words to support learning:

• Palaeontologist – a scientist who studies fossils.
• Trackway – a series of footprints left by a dinosaur.
• Fossil – preserved remains of ancient life.
• Carnivore/Herbivore – meat-eating vs. plant-eating dinosaurs.
• Extinct – no longer existing.

• Stomp, Chomp, Big Roars! Here Come the Dinosaurs! by Kaye Umansky
• Harry and the Dinosaurs series by Ian Whybrow
• Tyrannosaurus Drip by Julia Donaldson
• The Girl and the Dinosaur by Hollie Hughes

Exploring dinosaur footprints is a fascinating way to engage children with history, science, and nature. This activity provides a unique platform for studying, allowing young minds to piece together what life looked like in an ancient period. By using ABC School Supplies’ high-quality resources, educators and parents can create an immersive experience that helps children understand how dinosaurs moved across the land, leaving behind tracks that are still known and studied today.

This hands-on approach encourages curiosity and discovery, making history feel like a real part of the present. Although much has changed since the time of dinosaurs, exploring their footprints provides a complete and insightful look into the past. It allows children to date events, reach their own conclusions, and develop an early appreciation for scientific study.

By incorporating different sections of ancient routes, children can compare how dinosaurs adapted to their country’s diverse landscapes. Recently, scientists have discovered new trackways that head in different directions, offering fresh insights into migration and behaviour. Encouraging children to explore these ideas can inspire a love for learning and a deeper connection with the world around them.

Start tracing prehistoric paths today with ABC School Supplies and watch children’s imaginations take flight!

Understanding and expressing emotions is an important part of a toddler’s development. Helping young children identify, name, and manage their emotions sets the foundation for emotional intelligence and empathy. ABC School Supplies offers a range of engaging resources, including Jumbo Emotion Stones, to support this learning journey.

These tactile emotion stones feature faces expressing four key emotions that children frequently experience: happy, sad, surprised, and angry. Using these stones in classroom activities or at home encourages emotional awareness, communication, and self-regulation.

Using Jumbo Emotion Stones is a simple yet effective way to help toddlers understand their emotions and the emotions of others. Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Start with just two or three stones. Look at each one together and talk about the feeling it represents. Ask, “What does their mouth look like? How about their eyes?”
• Try making the faces yourselves in a mirror.
• Introduce the rest of the set and ask which mood stones look similar.
• Describe a scenario, such as a toddler dropping their ice cream or receiving a surprise gift. Ask them to choose the stone that best represents how they might feel.
• Read a story and discuss the characters’ emotions using the stones. Books such as Mr Big by Ed Vere and My Big Shouting Day by Rebecca Patterson are perfect for this activity.

There are many ways to use emotion stones in play. These activities will help toddlers discover emotions in a fun and engaging way:

• Matching Game: Place all the stones face up and find the matching pairs.
• Memory Game: Turn the stones face down and take turns flipping two over. If they match, keep them!
• Facial Expression Challenge: Hold up a stone and copy its expression. Can the toddler find the matching emotion stone?
• Acting Game: Act out an emotion using facial expressions and body language. Can the toddler pick the correct stone?
• Imaginative Play: Use the stones in small world play, like setting up a house or a magical kingdom.

For children who struggle with big feelings, Jumbo Emotion Stones can be a valuable tool in calming spaces or sensory corners. When emotions become overwhelming, toddlers can hold a stone to help them identify what they are feeling. Pairing the stones with other sensory resources, such as Sensory Worry Stones, can further support self-soothing.

Encourage toddlers to get creative while exploring emotions with these fun activities:

• Play Dough Faces: Press the emotion stones into play dough to create impressions.
• Paper Plate Faces: Draw or craft different emotions using paper, fabric, or sand.
• Emotion Dance Party: Play music that reflects different moods and lets toddlers convey emotions through movement.
• Sing and Act: Adapt ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ to match different emotions. Try, ‘If you’re angry and you know it, stamp your feet.’

Building a strong emotional vocabulary helps children better express how they feel. Use words such as:

• Happy: pleased, excited, laughing
• Sad: upset, crying, disappointed
• Angry: frustrated, cross, frowning
• Surprised: shocked, wide-eyed, amazed

These Jumbo Emotion Stones are a great resource for helping children explore, identify, and manage their emotions. Perfect for classrooms, therapy settings, or home learning, they provide hands-on, engaging ways to teach emotional intelligence. Visit ABC School Supplies to explore our full range of products that support children’s emotional development!

Who doesn’t love a dinosaur dig? Budding palaeontologists can step into the prehistoric world with the Dinosaur Bones Discovery Set, an exciting hands-on learning experience that sparks curiosity, creativity, and early STEM skills. With each dig, children will uncover fossilised wonders, explore measurement concepts, and develop their investigative skills—all while having a roaring good time!

This set is packed with twelve realistic dinosaur bones, perfect for sorting, measuring, and exploring. Whether it’s a solo excavation or a group adventure, these bones provide endless opportunities for play-based learning.

Uncovering prehistoric wonders allows us to put it in perspective—the remains of ancient creatures, some millions of years old, tell a story that remains a mystery to this day. The research was conducted in collaboration with experts and explains lead author, including senior lecturer Michele Francis from the Faculty of Agrisciences to study how fossils were preserved for longer through nature's own processes for carbon sequestration. The carbonate dates back farther than any dated so far, providing insights into land use change and carbon storage potential.

Just like how flowers grow preferentially in soil richer in nutrients, these fossils help us understand life on Earth and combat climate change through past environmental shifts. As part of a joint United States study, students as part of this project used technology to recreate prehistoric conditions, demonstrating how these ancient remains offer important data for calculating past climates. Some sites, covered by spring flowers, may have even been offerings to the gods. These little hills, which were once part of thriving ecosystems, highlight the world’s oldest preserved landscapes that need to be studied further by a SU to unlock their full historical significance.

Bury the bones in a sand tray, soil, or even a sensory bin filled with coffee grounds for a realistic dig site. These excavation activities mirror the work of an archaeologist uncovering ancient wonders, as children carefully sift through layers to uncover ancient wonders hidden beneath the surface. To heighten curiosity, leave a few bones peeking out, inviting children to rewrite their understanding of what lies beneath the earth.

Just as real archaeologists explore mounds found in South Africa that date back thousands of years, children can take on the role of scientists piecing together clues from the past. To extend the activity further, discuss how mammoths and other prehistoric creatures inhabited the land, leaving behind evidence of their existence, similar to the termite mounds found in the South. Introduce the idea that groundwater can preserve fossils for thousands of years, keeping relics from the past intact.

For a thrilling twist, freeze the dinosaur bones in ice and let children experiment with different ways to melt them. This activity mirrors the process of rewriting our understanding of ancient environments, just as scientists decipher clues from the past. Will they pour warm water over the ice? Hold it in their hands? Or place it in a sunny spot? Through this hands-on experiment, children engage with early science concepts and explore how ancient desert conditions and climate shifts preserved fossils for millennia.

Firstly, invite them to record their observations, just as real archaeologists do when making groundbreaking discoveries. Encourage children to document their findings, just as researchers do when studying termite mounds along the Buffels River or termite mounds found in south. To extend the learning, compare the frozen fossils to discoveries made in the mounds along the Buffels River, where preserved organic material tells the story of past civilisations.

Just as scientists are able to read an ancient manuscript by analysing layers of sediment, children can observe how ice melts to reveal hidden treasures. Introduce the idea that discovering a fossil is like finding an ancient manuscript that changes everything, helping us understand ancient life and climate changes during the Last Glacial Maximum. Inspired by scientific explorations and discovery of these mounds, this frozen fossil hunt becomes more than just an activity—it’s a way to spark curiosity about the past, the forces of nature, and the secrets held within the earth!

Studying these mounds in Namaqualand is a testament to how ancient landscapes preserve history. This formation of mounds is akin to being able to read Earth's past, much like the famous paintings in Europe and even older sites that reveal early human civilisation. Research has shown that during their formation, these mounds contributed to the carbon budget as laid out in the Paris Agreement. Understanding these ancient records is like last winter and its unexpected discoveries—unveiling secrets hidden beneath the surface for millennia.

Discuss how real scientists analyse preserved remains found in unexpected places—just as archaeologists study the oldest termite mounds in Namaqualand to uncover secrets of the past. These termite mounds found in the south, including the famed heuweltjies, have been studied by the Department of Soil Science at Stellenbosch, revealing new insights into ancient ecosystems. Some researchers suggest that inhabited termite mounds along the Buffels River in Namaqualand contain rich soil layers that hold valuable clues about ancient life and put it in perspective.

Create your own "fossilised" rocks by mixing equal parts flour, salt, sand, and coffee grounds with water to form a dough. This hands-on activity mirrors the natural processes studied in soil science and earth sciences, where scientists analyze ancient formations to understand ancient environments. Wrap each dinosaur bone in the dough and leave it to dry for a few days. Once hardened, children can crack open their fossils using gentle tools or water to reveal the ancient treasure inside, just as researchers uncover relics buried deep within the earth.

Says Francis, a leading scientist in the field, studying these formations changes everything we thought we knew about history. Just like the discovery of geoglyphs and the iconic cave paintings in Europe, this activity encourages children to explore the layers of history hidden beneath their hands. These discoveries help put it in perspective—many of these ancient sites are even older than the last glacial period and provide crucial insights into ancient life.

Once the bones have been unearthed, children can use them for hands-on maths, important for calculating and science activities:

• Compare and measure the bones using a ruler or by lining them up from shortest to longest.
• Sort the bones into matching groups.
• Make predictions—what dinosaur could this bone have belonged to? Was it a leg bone, rib, or part of the skull?
• Explore real-life fossils by looking at images of discovered dinosaur bones and discussing their enormous sizes (Did you know a Titanosaurus thigh bone was 2.4 metres long?).

Turn any space into a dinosaur dig site with hats, brushes, and a sand tray filled with buried bones. Tape off an area for excavation and encourage children to carefully record their findings on clipboards, just like real palaeontologists! This hands-on experience mirrors real-world scientific discoveries, where scientists have discovered clues to the past hidden beneath layers of earth.

To make the dig even more engaging, introduce the concept of ancient mounds as natural archives of history. Just as palaeontologists unearth fossils, researchers from the Institute for Nuclear Research and Soil Science in the Faculty of Earth Sciences analyze soil layers to reveal hidden secrets. Radiocarbon dating has revealed that some of these mounds are far older than any previously known, even older than the iconic cave paintings that document early human history.

Extend the play further by setting up a Dinosaur Museum, where children can display their finds, create informational signs, and give guided tours. Discuss how findings have been published in academic journals, such as those published in the journal of palaeontology and earth sciences, offering insights into ancient environments.

The southern harvester termite plays a surprising role in unearthing history, as its activity has contributed to the formation of the ancient mounds that serve as a testament to the incredible history hidden beneath our feet. Research conducted by a dedicated team of scientists has revealed that these mounds contain artifacts and organic matter dating as far back as tens of thousands of years, shedding light on ancient ecosystems and past civilisations.

Encourage imaginative play by creating ancient landscapes with the Dinosaur Bones Discovery Set:

• Dinosaur swamp: Place the bones in a sensory bin with slime, water, and plants.
• Dinosaur land: Partly bury the bones in sand and add small world dinosaur figures, rocks, and ferns.
• Mini excavation site: Provide small-world people figures as palaeontologists, complete with tiny digging tools and tents.

Introduce children to exciting new words:

• Palaeontologist
• Excavation
• Fossil
• Curator
• Exhibit

The Dinosaur Bones Discovery Set isn’t just a fun activity—it’s a gateway to hands-on learning, sparking curiosity about history, science, and the natural world. At ABC School Supplies, we’re passionate about providing engaging educational tools that inspire young minds. Whether it’s for classroom exploration or creative play at home, this set helps children develop essential STEM skills while having a blast. Explore our range of interactive learning resources to bring more exciting discoveries to your little palaeontologists!

Fossils offer an exciting way to engage young learners in the wonders of prehistoric life. Whether it’s uncovering "dinosaur bones" or a skeleton in a hands-on fossil dig or creating their own fossil imprints, children can develop a deeper understanding of Earth’s history through play-based learning. These activities align with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) by fostering curiosity, investigation, and scientific thinking.

Fossils are preserved remains or traces of ancient life and living thing, offering valuable clues about prehistoric creatures like dinosaurs. They form over millions of years when organic material is gradually replaced by minerals, creating rock-like imprints of bones, shells, or even footprints. This natural process provides an exciting opportunity for children to learn about Earth’s past and the conditions that shaped our planet.

Encouraging children to explore fossils through hands-on activities enhances their problem-solving skills, fine motor development, and scientific enquiry. Here are some engaging ways to introduce fossil learning in the classroom or at home:

• Set up a simulated excavation using the ABC School Supplies Fossil Dig Kit, which includes a collection of excavation tools and replica fossils.
• Bury small items like shells or toy dinosaur bones in a sensory bin filled with sand sediment or in mud.
• Provide brushes to rub off the dirt and magnifying glasses so children can carefully uncover their discoveries, just like real palaeontologists.

• Use modelling clay or dough to press objects such as leaves, shells, or toy dinosaur footprints, creating realistic fossil imprints to study the specimen and trace fossils.
• The ABC School Supplies Sensory Dough Set is perfect for this activity, offering a soft, pliable texture ideal for imprinting.
• Once dried, children can paint their fossils, further enhancing creativity and fine motor skills.

• Discuss how tree resin trapped insects and hardened into amber over time.
• Use the Transparent Gel Science Set from ABC School Supplies to replicate this process by suspending tiny objects in clear gel or resin.

• Create a prehistoric trackway by making footprint stamps using playdough and toy dinosaurs.
• Ask children to predict which dinosaur made each track, encouraging observation and inference skills.

• Use picture cards or real fossil replicas from the ABC School Supplies Fossil Learning Set to match different fossils to their corresponding prehistoric creatures.
• This activity supports early classification and scientific reasoning skills.

Fossils help scientists uncover details about ancient ecosystems, climate change, and the evolution of life. By studying fossils, children develop a sense of wonder for the past and gain insights into how life on Earth has changed over millions of years. Visiting the Museum of Natural History and interactive learning spaces also provides opportunities for young learners to see real fossils up close. It is a great way of deepening their appreciation for natural history.

Incorporating fossil activities into early learning settings supports EYLF principles, particularly Learning Outcome 4: "Children are confident and involved learners." These activities encourage exploration, investigation, and scientific thinking in a fun, hands-on way. Make a way for them to learn palaeontology and to seek professions such as palaeontologist.

For educators looking to enhance their fossil-themed lessons, ABC School Supplies offers a range of engaging products designed to support inquiry-based learning. Explore our selection of fossil dig kits, sensory dough, and educational resources to create an interactive and enriching prehistoric adventure for young learners!

Supporting children’s emotional well-being is essential in early childhood education. Teaching relaxation techniques helps children manage stress hormones, build self-regulation skills, and create a sense of calm in the learning environment. Incorporating sensory play, mindful breathing, and calming art activities can be an effective way to promote relaxation. At ABC School Supplies, we offer a range of resources to support these practices in your early learning setting.

When children need a quiet moment to relax and reset, sensory play with dough rollers can provide a soothing and engaging experience. Creating repetitive patterns in play dough is not only satisfying but also helps develop fine motor skills. It encourages mindfulness and gives children the opportunity to express their emotions through creative play.

A designated calming space can be a powerful way to help children manage stress and promote overall wellbeing. A well-thought-out relaxation area allows children to engage in stress management techniques that help you relax the mind and body, lower heart rate, and reduce stress levels. Incorporating elements such as soft textures, soothing visuals, and sensory experiences can support progressive muscle relaxation and other relaxation exercises. Fresh air, visualisation techniques, and engaging in activities like yoga for physical health or massage-inspired sensory play can help children keep a level head and feel more at ease in stressful situations.

Set up a quiet corner with:

• Patterned Dough Rollers – Encourage children to create patterns that evoke a sense of peace, such as waves, stars, or feathers. The rhythmic rolling motion can aid in progressive muscle relaxation, helping to calm both the mind and body while fostering creativity.
• Soft Play Dough – When it comes to colour, choose calming colours such as pastel blues and greens to enhance relaxation. If you roll and squish or massage the dough can help reduce muscle tension and lower cortisol levels, making it a simple yet effective way to help children relax.
• Sensory Cushions & Cuddly Toys – Offer additional comfort for children who need extra support. The soft, comforting textures can contribute to stress management, while holding a cuddly toy or pet-like plush can provide a sense of security, similar to the way spending time with a pet can naturally help to calm emotions.
• Candle and Aromatherapy Exploration – Introduce children to gentle, child-safe aromatherapy scents such as lavender and chamomile. Watching a flameless LED candle flicker or smelling essential oils can be a great way to lower stress and anxiety, helping children feel peaceful in a stressful situation. This feel-good activity supports mental health by slowing down tense emotions and creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Encourage independent exploration with the rollers, allowing children to experience the smooth motion and tactile stimulation. The rhythmic rolling and pattern formation can be particularly beneficial for children who feel overwhelmed or anxious.

• Admire the patterns – Ask children what shapes or images they see in their creations.
• Use directional language – Encourage children to roll in different directions, such as up, down, or around.
• Discuss textures – Talk about how the dough feels as they roll it: Is it smooth or rough? Soft or firm?
• Encourage imaginative play – Mix patterns to create a story, such as fish swimming through waves or feathers floating in the wind.
• Incorporate multisensory elements – Add calming scents like lavender, rosemary, or vanilla to enhance the sensory experience.
• Explore different materials – Try rolling patterns in kinetic sand, cloud dough, or clay for varied sensory input.

Deep breathing exercises help children calm their bodies and minds. The feather breathing technique is a simple way to introduce mindful breathing in a fun and engaging way.

1. Hold a feather in front of your face. Take a deep breath in, then exhale slowly, watching the feather move with your breath.
2. Place the feather on your hand and blow it gently into the air. How long can you keep it floating?
3. If a real feather isn’t available, use a tissue or encourage children to imagine a feather drifting down as they exhale slowly.

This activity can be incorporated into daily routines, such as after bath or lunch or before nap time, to help children develop calming strategies they can use whenever they feel overwhelmed. You can do simple things if you’re feeling stressed, relieve stress, unwind or relax the muscles. Any mental health professional suggest journaling, count backwards or even to jog as a stress-relief that will change your life.

Art is a wonderful way for children to express emotions and find relaxation through creativity. Using dough rollers to create patterns can inspire other calming artistic activities, such as:

• Collage Creations – Stick feathers, stars, or hearts onto paper to replicate their dough patterns.
• Hanging Mobiles – Cut out stars, fish, or clouds and suspend them from the ceiling to create a relaxing visual display.
• Clay Imprints – Press rollers into air-drying clay, seal with a glue-water mix, and paint the designs once dry.

Pairing these activities with calming music can deepen relaxation and response to stress. Consider playing:

• Sheep May Safely Graze by J.S. Bach
• Clair de Lune by Debussy
• Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone

Soft instrumental music creates a soothing atmosphere and helps children focus on their sensory and creative experiences.

Using open-ended questions can help children reflect on their feelings and experiences.

• Clouds: Have you ever looked for pictures in the clouds? How do fluffy clouds make you feel?
• Stars: How do stars make you feel? Do you know any songs about stars?
• Hearts: Can you think of someone you love? How can we show we care for each other?
• Waves: How do you feel when watching water flow in a river or at the seaside?

Reading stories about emotions can help children develop self-awareness and coping strategies. Some great options include:

• Little Boat by Taro Gomi
• Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick
• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
• I Am Calm by Roger Priddy

By incorporating relaxation techniques into daily routines, educators can help children develop lifelong strategies for managing stress and emotions. Meditation offers quality of life and may help to release endorphins. ABC School Supplies provides a variety of sensory and calming resources to support these activities, ensuring children have a nurturing space to relax, reflect, and grow.

The Australian Government's recent overhaul of the childcare subsidy system marks a significant shift in early childhood education. Aimed at improving accessibility and affordability for families, one of the key changes includes removing the activity test, ensuring that all children can access at least three days of subsidised childcare per week. This transformation presents both opportunities and challenges for childcare centres as they navigate new regulations and work to communicate these changes effectively to families.

The removal of the activity test means that families, regardless of their working hours or educational commitments, will now receive guaranteed subsidies for three days of childcare. This initiative is designed to foster early learning engagement, giving children consistent access to educational resources and a stable routine. For childcare providers, this means potential increases in enrolments, shifts in demand for flexible care options, and a renewed focus on inclusivity.

To successfully adapt to these policy changes, childcare providers should consider the following key strategies:

Parents may have questions about how the subsidy changes will impact their childcare costs and eligibility. It is crucial for centres to provide clear, accessible information through newsletters, social media updates, and face-to-face discussions. Providing printed brochures and visual guides in reception areas can also help families understand their options.

With more children accessing care, centres should ensure their facilities are well-equipped to accommodate growing numbers. Investing in high-quality educational resources such as art supplies, sensory toys, and engaging learning materials can enhance children’s developmental experiences. ABC School Supplies offers a range of products that can help educators create interactive and stimulating learning environments, from craft kits to classroom organisation essentials.

As childcare becomes more accessible across Australia in 2024, centres must focus on fostering a strong sense of community and belonging among Australian families. Encouraging open communication between educators and parents, hosting family engagement activities, and creating welcoming spaces with personalised touches—such as child artwork displays and collaborative projects—can help families feel more connected.

Additionally, ensuring that every child is eligible for free childcare and that their immunisation records comply with Services Australia requirements is essential for maintaining a safe and inclusive environment. With the federal election shaping policy decisions, it is crucial to keep families informed about any updates affecting their hours of subsidised care and the hourly rate caps imposed by the government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reinforced the importance of universal childcare, aiming to ease financial burdens on families while ensuring that children receive quality early education.

Childcare providers should also be transparent about costs charged by your childcare, outlining how families can calculate their expected expenses under the revised subsidy framework. Understanding the impact of the cap on fees and the hourly rate will help parents make informed decisions about their care type, whether opting for a day care service or home care. As the number of children attending childcare grows under the July 2024 regulations, centres must continue to prioritise inclusive policies that build trust and long-term relationships with families.

With potential enrolment increases, centres may need to reassess staffing levels and resource allocation. Ensuring that educators have access to the right tools, including ABC School Supplies’ educational planners, whiteboards, and classroom seating solutions, can improve classroom management and workflow efficiency.

Policy changes can impact educators just as much as families, according to the Productivity Commission. Providing professional development sessions on subsidy updates, family engagement strategies, and early childhood learning best practices will empower staff to navigate this transition smoothly. Training programmes should also focus on how to calculate childcare fees based on the updated financial year subsidy structure, ensuring educators can guide families through the process. So that families can get an idea. Additionally, with Prime Minister Anthony and the federal government setting clear guidelines on how many hours families can access subsidised care, it is important for educators to stay informed. By leveraging tools such as the CCS calculator, centres can help families understand their subsidy entitlements and make informed decisions about their childcare needs.

The new childcare subsidy framework opens doors for greater inclusion and accessibility in early learning. By effectively communicating with families, investing in high-quality educational resources, and fostering a supportive community, childcare centres can make the most of these changes.

At ABC School Supplies, we are committed to supporting educators with essential classroom resources that create enriching learning environments. As you navigate this transition, explore our wide range of products designed to help educators and children thrive under the new subsidy system.

For more information on how ABC School Supplies can support your centre’s needs, visit our website or reach out to our team today.

Ideas to help enhance learning opportunities with the Glow and Go Bot using construction, reflective materials, and creative crafts.

If you have a Glow and Go Bot in your setting, then you will know just how captivating it can be for the children. There’s something fascinating about the way it glows and moves, grabbing their attention and sparking that important sense of curiosity. But why not make it even more exciting by adding some simple accessories and resources to enhance their learning experiences further?

Below are a few suggestions to help you get the most out of your Glow and Go Bot. These ideas are easy to set up, engaging for children, and perfect for mixing play with learning.

The Light Up Glow and Go Bot, available at ABC School Supplies, is a fantastic resource for engaging children in hands-on, interactive learning. This captivating bot encourages curiosity and exploration, making it an excellent addition to any early childhood education setting. By incorporating additional accessories and materials, educators can extend children's learning experiences, creating opportunities for problem-solving, storytelling, and sensory exploration.

Incorporating glow-in-the-dark elements can make using the Glow and Go Bot even more exciting for children. Set up a classroom glow day by adding black light and glow sticks to enhance the experience. Use glow materials like neon tape or mini glow balls to create fun glow-in-the-dark games and activities. Try a glow day activity, such as a dark party game using bracelets and balloons, or set up a glow-in-the-dark party with disco lights and themed party games. For extra fun, buy glow sticks in bulk and let children use glow highlighters to create glowing pathways for their bot. Incorporating flashlight play and summer night-inspired activities will make the Glow and Go Bot an unforgettable experience.

Glow and Go Bot can also work well alongside other construction materials or glow-themed resources. Glow construction pieces, for example, are brilliant for creating obstacle courses for the bot to navigate. Children can use the glow resources to create illuminated pathways, tunnels, and obstacles for the bot to move around and explore.

Turn any playtime into a fun glow in the dark adventure with Glow and Go Bot! Kids can create exciting small-world scenes using houses, trees, and miniature people while the bot lights up the town. For a little extra fun, use glow sticks to outline roads, buildings, or even a glowing taxi route. Want to add even more excitement? Set up glow in the dark games like tic-tac-toe on a board using glow tape or create a mini glow game to capture the flag under a blacklight. This activity is perfect for glow parties, especially on a summer night. Don’t forget to use tonic water to make certain elements glow even brighter! Whether rolling balls and glow sticks through the scene or setting up a glowing bowl of obstacles, this activity doesn’t take much to spark creativity and endless fun.

Here is a simple but super effective trick: add some mirrors, Active World Tuff Tray Light Panel White insert , Mirrored tables, or reflective materials and shiny paper/card. When the Glow and Go Bot moves over or near these, the lights from the bot will bounce and reflect in the most fascinating ways. Children will not only learn about light and reflection but also have a great sensory experience.

Young children love a bit of mystery and discovery, and this idea is perfect for that. Try covering the Light Up Glow and Go Bot with something like colourful fabric or transparent lightweight fabrics. The little glow lights will shine through, creating an exciting effect that will grab their attention for a fun and memorable moment.

The best part? Young children who are beginning to move will want to get up close, reach out, follow the bot’s movements, and explore around the classroom. The lights and sounds will encourage children to crawl towards it, pulling at the materials and then squealing with delight when they reveal the bot underneath! This is a great way to get children moving and engaging with the world around them and create an unforgettable experience.

Integrating the Light Up Glow and Go Bot into a classroom transformation can create an exciting glow experience for kids and adults alike. Using black light bars and black bulletin board paper, educators can set up a special themed day filled with dark activities. Students can explore subtraction with different coloured Wikki Stix or play a classic game like tic tac pong under glowing disco balls. Whether used in first grade or for birthday parties, this extravaganza is sure to be a hit! Create a shopping list, grab table cloths, and get ready to play this game while enhancing learning.

Have you got some craft materials such as cardboard, junk boxes, tape, glue, and a bit of imagination? If so, you have got everything you need to turn the Glow and Go Bot into the star of its own little world.

Why not set up a craft session where the children can plan, design, and create a home, obstacle course, or even a whole city for the bot using junk materials such as cardboard boxes? They can create different places for the bot to visit, such as a garage or a maze for the bot to escape from.

This isn’t about creating a perfect masterpiece; it’s about letting the children take ownership of their own ideas, allowing for key skills to be practised while engaged in play. It is a great way to experiment with building and storytelling, and there is so much joy in seeing what they come up with.

Incorporating Indigenous perspectives in early childhood education for Australian people is a vital step towards fostering cultural understanding, respect, and inclusion from a young age. By embedding Indigenous knowledge, stories, and practices into learning environments, educators can help children develop a deep appreciation for Australia’s rich First Nations cultures. The article Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives: A Guide for Early Childcare Services provides valuable insights for integrating these perspectives in meaningful and respectful ways.

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in early childhood education is essential in creating inclusive and meaningful learning experiences for Australian children. Educators embedding these perspectives in early childhood education and care services ensure that both Torres Strait Islander children and non-Indigenous children develop a strong sense of belonging. Engaging with the local Aboriginal community and incorporating reconciliation initiatives during NAIDOC Week fosters deep connections to history and culture. Education research highlights the importance of play-based learning in early childhood education, ensuring that learning experiences are not tokenistic but rather deeply connected to the traditions and knowledge of Torres Strait Islander people and Aboriginal perspectives.

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) highlights the importance of belonging, being, and becoming. Understanding and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures aligns with EYLF Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world. By incorporating Indigenous perspectives, educators help children develop respect for diversity and gain a broader understanding of Australia’s history and traditions.

Use authentic Indigenous art and storytelling resources to introduce children to traditional symbols, Dreamtime stories, and contemporary Indigenous artists. The Aboriginal Art Wooden Puzzle Set from ABC School Supplies is a great resource for engaging children in learning about Indigenous symbols through play.

Stories are central to Indigenous cultures and serve as an engaging way to pass down knowledge. Books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors, such as Big Rain Coming or Welcome to Country, provide valuable narratives that reflect Indigenous ways of knowing. The Indigenous Storytelling Set available at ABC School Supplies can support literacy activities while honouring cultural traditions.

Music and dance are powerful tools for expression and learning. Incorporate traditional Indigenous instruments like clapsticks and didgeridoos into music sessions. The Indigenous Musical Instruments Kit allows children to explore rhythm while learning about their cultural significance.

Many Indigenous cultures have a deep connection to the land. Encourage outdoor learning with natural materials such as the Bush Tucker Garden Kit from ABC School Supplies, which helps children explore Indigenous plants and their uses.

Begin the day with an Acknowledgement of Country, helping children understand the significance of recognising Traditional Custodians. Where possible, invite local Elders or community members to share cultural knowledge, reinforcing respectful engagement with Indigenous communities.

Embedding Indigenous perspectives is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and reflection. The following government resources are an essential resource for educators looking to deepen their understanding and confidently integrate Indigenous knowledge into their curriculum.

• Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives: A Guide for Early Childcare Services
• Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives through program and practice
• Embedding Indigenous perspectives in Early Childhood Education and Care services

By incorporating culturally responsive resources, stories, and experiences, educators can create inclusive learning environments that celebrate and respect Australia’s First Nations cultures. Explore ABC School Supplies’ range of Indigenous educational resources to support this journey and help shape culturally aware learners for the future.