Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
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Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.
14 fabulously festive ways to celebrate Christmas on the Gold Coast, Logan and Redlands

The festive season is here and the opportunities to get in the spirit are endless! Why not check your shopping list off at a Christmas market, jingle along at a carols concert or putt your way through a Christmas wonderland. To make sure you do not miss out on the festive cheer, here is your go-to guide with only the best of the best Christmas happenings picked out for you. Be sure to add these dates to your calendar!

 Get ready for an exciting and interactive Santa show! Join Santa, Mrs Claus and Rudolf for a Christmas extravaganza that includes a mix of traditional carols and current pop songs.

Pacific Pines Central Park, 4-8:30pm

Image via City of Gold Coast

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This free family festivity will feature live music, market stalls, inflatable fun, local restaurant specials, games and activities, plus a visit from Santa Claus.

Ron Short Park, 4-8pm

Image via Alicia Street Christmas Fair Facebook page

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Bring your family for the largest carols event on the northern Gold Coast, an unforgettable night with fireworks, food vans, and festive sing-alongs.

Brien Harris Oval, from 4pm

Image via Northern Gold Coast Carols Facebook page

Carols On The Beach

One of the all-time favourite Christmas carols will be performed in a 2-hour celebration of song and dance on the beach, with a visit from Santa, and a fireworks finale!

Surfers Paradise Beach, 5-8pm

Image via City of Gold Coast

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Wind your way through the Market lanes to the sweet serenades of stunning live music, spot roving performers, snap a selfie with an elf… or meet Santa himself!

Home of the Arts, 4-9pm

Image via Queensland.com

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The elves have been busy transforming the 9-hole mini golf course into a spectacular Christmas wonderland! 

76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood

Image via The Club at Parkwood

Southern Gold Coast

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Free live music on stage, roving performers, children’s entertainment, fantastic food trucks, and Christmas market stalls. Plus see Santa making a special appearance alongside a fireworks display.

Ed Hardy Park, 4-8pm

Image via North Burleigh Carols by the Sea Facebook page

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Dine under the stars at one of the fantastic local eateries, check out the local business offerings, and visit the Christmas market stalls. Plenty of free children’s entertainment on offer throughout the program with Santa making a special appearance!

Toolona Street, Tugan, 4-8:30pm

Image via Tugan Lights Up Facebook page

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Sing along to your all-time favourite carols, enjoy a delicious assortment of food trucks, watch Santa fly in and watch a sparkling fireworks finale! 

Queen Elizabeth Park, 5:30-7:30pm

Image via Shutterstock

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A truly unique festive celebration, this event will feature live stage entertainment, Christmas carols, Santa, Fireworks over the beautiful Lake Orr and much more!

Waterfront Stage, Varsity Lakes, 4-8pm

Image via Carols on the Lake Facebook page

 

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A fabulous, family Christmas event with market stalls, food trucks, Santa, Christmas carols, live music, facepainting and free children’s craft area.

Mudgeeraba Showgrounds, 3-8pm

Image via BWP Markets’ Facebook page

Logan & Redlands

City Of Logan Christmas Carols Hero

The City of Logan Christmas Carols is the city’s biggest annual Christmas event. This free, family-friendly event features hours of on-stage entertainment, festive activities, food trucks, and markets, all jam-packed into one magical day.

Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct, 3-8:30pm

Image via Must Do Brisbane

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Experience a pop-up Christmas market brimming with a variety of local vendors, a special visit from Santa’s elves, and Mr & Mrs Claus will drop by for photos under a larger-than-life wreath, suspended above the Market Hall.

Distillery Road Market, 11am-9pm

Image via Facebook event

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A free 7-minute light and sound show running at 6:30pm, 6:45pm, 7pm & 7:15pm. Get ready to catch all the “bubble snow” at the end!

Image via Redland Performing Arts Centre

If you’re looking for early education and care for your young family, look no further than Little Scholars!  

We offer your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. We also believe in fun, wide-ranging experiences so that children can begin to develop interests and passions of their own, from Bush Kinder adventures to our broad extracurricular program which includes swimming for our kindergarten children, we believe in keeping wonder and magic in childhood.

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

Supporting boys in understanding emotions to grow into kind, resilient individuals

In recent years, news headlines have frequently highlighted the challenges surrounding men’s mental health, and the troubling rates of violence and suicide among men. While these stories are not representative of men overall, these issues don’t emerge overnight. They’re often rooted in childhood, shaped by how boys are taught to understand emotions, handle challenges, and connect with others. While these statistics are concerning, they also present an opportunity. If we start now, we can nurture a generation of boys who grow into kind, empathetic, and resilient men. If we encourage sensitivity, respect, and emotional awareness from an early age, we can help our little boys become the well-rounded, compassionate adults our world needs.

Raising both sexes present different challenges for parents, but really it’s a very individual approach to each child to ensure they’re learning to become kind, respectful human beings.

Traditionally, little boys have been taught to “man up” and avoid showing “weakness” by expressing emotions. This can be deeply isolating, leading to feelings of loneliness or frustration, and in some cases, acting out through belittling or bullying those who are more open with their emotions. In fact, a recent international study found that Australian teenagers experience bullying at the second highest rate among developed countries. The good news is that bullying numbers are showing a downward trend, suggesting that shifts in attitudes are making a difference.

By encouraging young boys to embrace and express their feelings, as well as having awareness of them in others, we can cultivate environments that support kindness and empathy, helping them build respectful relationships and healthy ways to cope with emotions. This approach is essential for raising well-rounded, compassionate individuals who understand that true strength comes from being open, understanding, and kind to themselves and others.

At Little Scholars, we believe strength comes from vulnerability, showing and sharing the range of human emotion, and understanding and displaying empathy rather than ignorance.

Our goal is to provide a secure and trusting environment in which all children feel a sense of belonging. We support children to form positive relationships with peers, educators and their environments, while recognising and maybe improving their existing relationships with their family and community.

Part of building and maintaining these relationships means teaching children to recognise the range of emotions within themselves and in others. This in turn builds empathy, understanding and respect for others. We do this in a variety of age-appropriate ways to support children’s emotional development. From understanding what the various feelings are, understanding how they feel, how to see these in others, as well as mindfulness practices to deal with harder feelings when they arise.

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Dean with his little boy on #LoveUBro Day (via Instagram)
What can parents do in raising boys to be caring and compassionate?

To get an understanding of some of the potential reasons for what’s happening in males, what we can do now, we spoke to Dean Cooper, the program manager for White Ribbon Australia, a not-for-profit global social movement working to stop men’s violence against women.  The organisation’s mission is to strive for a society where all women and children are safe. November is White Ribbon Month in Australia, we encourage you to visit the White Ribbon Australia website and contribute if you can.

Dean also happens to be the proud dad of two little boys, one of whom is pictured with Dean in the top photo and attends Little Scholars. We’re thrilled to have Dean’s expertise on this important topic.

Could you please tell us about your role at White Ribbon Australia?
 

I design programs for high schools and workplaces on domestic violence (DV), masculinity, respectful relationships, consent, etc. Secondary to my role at White Ribbon Australia, I am an ambassador for the innerBoy app which is an app assisting men to heal from trauma and get support for any mental health challenges they are facing.

How did you get involved in this important work?

Well, originally I wanted to play Rugby Union professionally, however that didn’t work out, so I studied criminology and undertook a career in corrections, conducting assessments on people who committed offences of all kinds. I began to focus solely on working with men and fathers who used violence, and about seven years ago I started facilitating men’s behavioural change programs for men being released from prison for DV offences. Quite alarmingly, what I learnt was a lot of behaviour I engaged in within sporting environments, such as sexist jokes, violent chants, and street harassment on nights out, actually made their way into these programs, and condoned or supported a lot of problematic beliefs these men who were using violence had. It was my full circle journey to realising that not all disrespect leads to violence, but all violence starts with disrespect. I’ve decided to stick with this work and found a passion for it as I think it’s important that those who are being disrespectful or choosing to use violence receive counter narratives from culture to say these behaviours aren’t okay.

What has made you so passionate about ensuring we raise kind, respectful boys?

I am passionate about the role men play in shaping children, especially boys, and have a desire to see every father role-modelling safe and respectful behaviour. I truly believe safe, engaged, and present fathers can positively impact our future generations and are the solution for the social issues we see today. Unfortunately, what I’ve learned in this work is that a lot of men either didn’t have positive role models growing up, or look around at music, TV, movies, pornography, social media, etc. and have no mainstream examples of what positive, safe, and effective fathering looks like. It’s my passion to create spaces for men to learn what fathering means and how we role model respect, equality, and safety.

The most important question: what could parents, especially of little boys, do now to ensure they’re raising kind, respectful human beings?

There isn’t much at such a young age that we can ‘teach’ in that formal sense. Children will learn from observing so it’s important we role model more than try and teach. I’ll just provide my own strategies.

One thing I am trying to personally do is role model accountability. If my son says something like ‘that makes me sad’ or ‘I don’t like it’ if I am playing, or implementing a boundary I try to talk to him about why it upsets him and validate his feelings. I also role model saying ‘sorry’. Likewise, with my wife I make a purposeful attempt to apologise for things and role model what it’s like to get it wrong and change my mind. It’s crucial to show we don’t always have the answers, we are going to make mistakes, but we can always acknowledge our impact and make amends. 

I try to hold myself proactively accountable as well. As adults, we know when we haven’t done our best work. If we are distracted on our phone when our child tries to engage us, or if we snap at them for not doing something we asked, or if they are talking and we interrupt with something else. We can proactively hold ourselves accountable, I try to say ‘son, when you were talking then I realise I wasn’t fully listening and I am sorry, what you have to say is important and I recognise by not listening I didn’t show that.’ 

“I also believe we play a huge role in teaching our boys to regulate their emotions. We seem to be better at comforting girls or more accepting of their emotions. In terms of our boys, we need to shift from correction to connection.”

Another, ‘I’m sorry I yelled before, it’s my responsibility to stay calm and I didn’t do that, it wasn’t my intention to make you upset but I realise it did, I am sorry for that and next time I am going to do better.’ If I see my son be unkind to someone in the playground or at kindy drop off, I try use those moments to ask him what he thinks the impacts were and how we can make amends. For example, ‘I saw when you took those two toys and didn’t give one to Johnny. Look at Johnny now, does he look happy or sad? Johnny looks sad and I think it’s because he doesn’t have a toy, can you help me find a way for Johnny to have a toy too?’ and layer that in with an apology for not sharing. Taking those steps to encourage my son to see the impact they have on others, be comfortable with reflecting on what they’ve done, and how to repair. That’s how we start to shape kind, reflective, and safe boys.

At least once a week, I try:

 1. Admit a mistake I made

2. Share what I learnt about that mistake

 3. Ask for help. 

This is how we mark ourselves as a psychologically safe person. If we can role model getting it wrong, learning from that, and being willing to accept help, we role model that we are a safe person to hold accountable, we’ll treat their mistakes with empathy and understanding, and it’s okay to make mistakes. If we can mark ourselves as safe people by role modeling this, then we normalise recognising the impacts we have on others and repairing those. I just never want my children to hide something from me because they felt like they couldn’t tell me. I don’t want them to say ‘I made a mistake don’t tell Dad’ and instead say ‘I made a mistake I have to tell Dad.’ That’s the goal.

I also believe we play a huge role in teaching our boys to regulate their emotions. We seem to be better at comforting girls or more accepting of their emotions. In terms of our boys, we need to shift from correction to connection. Again, I think we need to role model this and talk about when we are frustrated, sad, disappointed, happy etc. I speak with a lot of dads who openly state at times they’ve been sad or angry, their children will ask ‘Daddy, are you okay?’ and they respond ‘Yeah, I am fine’ when they really aren’t. Children are these perfect little emotional barometers and what we actually do in that moment is not protect them from any negative feelings, but lie to them and tell them their sense of emotions was wrong. Instead, I try and role model ‘Daddy is feeling sad right now, thanks for noticing and asking if I am okay. When I feel sad I like to find an activity that makes me happy or find Mummy and give her a big cuddle.’ It’s important we teach boys to recognise their emotions, deal with them, and implement strategies to cope.

Physical affection is so important. As a guy growing up I always heard about this ‘tough love’ approach to parenting and the whole ‘just wait till your Dad gets home’ disciplinary role we were supposed to play. In my career, I’ve worked with a lot of men who have poor emotional regulation or traumatic backgrounds and they all report a lack of being told they are good enough and to be embraced. We do some exercises in prison groups where the men outline what they wish they had more of as children, all of it comes back to being told they were of value just as they were, and wishing they were shown love more.

Thank you, Dean, we’re so appreciative to have your insight!
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Building relationships at Little Scholars

At Little Scholars, we feel strongly it takes a village to raise a child, and we’re very proud to be a part of your child’s community as she or he grows and learns about the world. All of our little scholars learn about emotions in a number of age and developmentally-appropriate ways. It’s a very important facet of our early educational curriculum, supported by the Early Years Learning Framework.

We aim to provide a safe and secure space in which they grow and thrive. To ensure we’re doing this, we’re constantly working to improve our knowledge and practices. Our educators regularly take on professional development that helps them understand and guide children through not only their letters and numbers, but their emotional and social growth, on topics like developing mindfulness practices in their studios, developing frustration tolerance even more specific learnings such as trauma-informed practice. 

Of course, ensuring children’s safety is paramount, and our educators are also regularly trained and updated on Child Protection Policy and procedures.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we have an open door policy and we invite you to talk to your educator, educational leader or campus manager any time. 

Little Scholars offers you and your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. Our belief is that through quality education and care for children we can also encourage, assist and support the entire family.

Our dedicated team of educators are committed to the individual needs and interests of children and their families, and thus we encourage and welcome family input and involvement.

We aim to be like an extension of your family and are very relationship-driven. We support nurturing relationships between our educators and your child, the relationships your child has with the other children who attend, and we value our relationship with you as the parent and other family members. So book a tour today to get started!

As Little Scholars celebrates its milestone decade of educating and caring for South East Queensland children we met up with Jae Fraser, the founder of Little Scholars, to hear his memories and reflection of the past 10 years operating Little Scholars School of Early Learning!  For a bit of background on Jae, he’s spent more than half his life educating young children. 

After years working in the early learning and care sector, starting as a trainee and working his way up to early childhood teacher and campus manager, Jae eventually became general manager of Australia’s largest ASX-listed childcare company. But he felt a constant pull to do things differently. This drive led him to purchase his first Little Scholars campus, a run-down campus in Yatala. Ten years later, Little Scholars now educates more than 7,000 children across 16 campuses and employs more than 600 staff.

From the beginning, he wanted to offer what no one else did. The result for families who are enrolled with the Little Scholars School of Early Learning are innovative offerings such as chef-prepared take home meals for busy parents who don’t have time to cook, as well as our Family Time program that offers specialist appointments as well as dental and haircuts so families can use their free time together. Little Scholars was one of the first to introduce Bush and Beach Kinder in Queensland, all of this as well as first-class education and care in beautiful spaces to play and learn.

 

Jae, why did you leave a successful general manager career to start your own early learning service?

As a passionate teacher, I never thought I would find myself in a corporate role as a general manager of a company with more than 500 centres and 6,500 staff, but I loved every moment of it, especially the people I had the pleasure of working alongside. I’d always felt a deep conviction about early learning. It’s absolutely more than a career, it’s my calling. I was incredibly proud of the work we did in my previous role, but I kept dreaming of something that could be even more child-centered, community-focused, and creatively enriching. 

I wanted to create something different, something that families and educators hadn’t seen before, a space where children could explore, get messy, learn about kindness, and discover the world on their own terms, environments that . I had a vision to create an early learning centre unlike anything in the market—an elevated, high-quality experience where every environment is thoughtfully designed to inspire wonder, nurture growth, and offer a truly exceptional foundation for young learners.

Little Scholars was born from that vision. I didn’t leave because anything was missing per se, but rather because I knew there was something special, we could create that could go beyond the traditional expectations in early childhood education. Little Scholars was my chance to bring that vision to life fully.

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Can you describe the feelings you had between quitting your job and opening Little Scholars? And was it stressful balancing both roles initially?

Opening the Yatala campus was exhilarating but incredibly intense (and so so stressful). In those first few months, I was wrapping up my role as general manager, while putting everything I had into Little Scholars at Yatala. It was chaotic, but the kind of chaos where every long day, every sleepless night, felt like it had real purpose. There were times when I felt that I had taken on too much and was I ever going to get there?

When I eventually stepped away from my GM role to focus solely on Little Scholars, it was already showing the spark of what it could become. People were resonating with what we were building, a place where families felt at home and children felt empowered, and that was everything I’d hoped for.

 

What are some memories of support you received in those early days ?

We started with nothing but a dream, pouring all our savings into opening that first campus; with limited funds, we did everything ourselves – cooking, cleaning, gardening, renovating, and managing every detail to bring our vision to life while building a new business from the ground up. Honestly, I’ll never forget those early days. Family, friends, our new team, and even complete strangers chipped in, offering hands-on support, encouragement, and assurance. Andrew was there by my side constantly, and the team that joined early on was absolutely invaluable – they believed in Little Scholars right from the start. Local families and businesses welcomed us, and that sense of community support really set the tone for everything we’ve done since.

I also remember families telling us that they drove past four other services, to come to Little Scholars – they loved it that much and so grateful for what we were creating for their children. Little Scholars became a destination early learning facility, a place families were willing to travel to because of our never-ending commitment to education and our philosophy of learning through play, where every experience is designed to ignite curiosity, joy, and a lifelong love of learning.

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What was the scariest part of that time?

The scariest part was wondering if this dream was something I could actually bring to life. If I could truly build a place where children would feel that they belonged and where parents felt absolute trust. Another was the relentless hours, working 15-16 hours a day, seven days a week, with barely enough funds to keep us going. I was constantly worried about whether we’d ever make it. We were now employers, responsible for our team’s livelihoods, knowing they depended on us to help pay their rent and mortgages. On top of that, there was the pressure of delivering on every promise I’d made, ensuring that our vision didn’t just stay a dream, but that the outcomes we set out to achieve would truly come to life.

There were days I’d wake up worrying about all the unknowns: ‘Will families see the value in what we’re doing? Will children thrive here the way I envision?’ But every time I walked into the Yatala campus and saw the smiles on those little faces, it reaffirmed that we were on the right path.

Do you remember when you started to feel, ‘oh my goodness, this might just work’?

I remember when the moment I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this might just work,’ so vividly. I mean, each Monday morning, after a weekend spent making improvements, we’d see the amazement on the children’s faces, the excitement in the educators’ eyes, and the families’ appreciation for what we were building. But the real turning point was our Open Day. Over 500 people came through, and the response was overwhelming! Families were captivated by the environment and everything we had created.

One of my friends, who had just come to visit, ended up taking enrolment fees on the EFTPOS machine because people were lining up, eager to be a part of it. Seeing that level of enthusiasm and belief in what we were doing was when I realised this dream was resonating with others in a big way.

I watched children running into the campus with huge grins, so excited to start their day, and I thought, ‘we’re onto something.’ Families would tell me how their children talked about their teachers, their new friends, and the garden we’d planted together. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a service, it was really becoming a meaningful part of people’s lives. And even 10 years later, that feeling never gets old.

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Are there early-days memories you haven’t shared before?

Oh, there are so many memories from those early days! I remember the late nights spent painting walls and bike tracks, filling sandpits, washing buses, planting gardens and laying turf until my hands were blistered.  It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was honest and heartfelt, and every effort meant we were creating a place that was genuinely ours to share.

One memory that’s always close to my heart is my best friend Mel bringing her little boy into the campus on weekend to help while we were still setting up. He’d toddle around, exploring every corner as if he were inspecting our progress, and his joy and curiosity reminded me of exactly why we were doing this. Countless weekends were spent working alongside friends and family, all of us taking a quick break in the playground, enjoying a Yatala Pie before moving on to the next task.

Those moments of shared effort and laughter laid the foundation for everything Little Scholars stands for today.

Another of my biggest dreams in starting Little Scholars was to make it possible for educators to become teachers without facing the same struggles I did coming from humble beginnings. I always hoped that one day I’d be in a position to support others on that journey. I’ll never forget the day an educator at Yatala mentioned they wanted to study to become a teacher but couldn’t afford it. In that moment, I was able to look them in the eye and say, ‘I’ll fund your study and support you every step of the way to help you become a teacher.’ That educator is still with us today, teaching at our Yatala campus, and their journey is a constant reminder of what Little Scholars is truly about.

Where do you see Little Scholars in the next 10 years?

Looking back, it’s incredible to think that five campuses once felt like a dream, and now, with over 17, we’re just getting started. In the next 10 years, I see Little Scholars as a leading light in early childhood education, not through size or numbers, but through our commitment to quality and impact. We’re dedicated to refining what we do best, focusing on the growth and development of every child, and ensuring our teams have the support and professional opportunities to grow their careers and reach their potential. We’ll also continue to participate in meaningful research and projects to improve the educational journey and outcomes for children, even beyond Little Scholars. Our goal is to deepen our connections with families and communities, staying true to our heart-driven purpose to create spaces where each child feels seen, heard, and genuinely valued.

It’s about holding onto what makes Little Scholars special and continually raising the bar in early learning.

Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
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Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.
7 wonderful opportunities to create memories with grandchildren
Grandparentsday

Grandparents have always shared a special bond with their grandchildren, but nowadays they are also playing an increasingly important role as a caregiver, as children spend much more time with their grandparents than ever before. Sometimes however, the generation gap can make it hard to think of new and fun things to do together that appeal to everyone.

Whether the grandchildren are spending an afternoon, a weekend, or the school holidays with you, this list is sure to keep children and grandparents of all interests and physical abilities, entertained and making memories year-round.

A beautiful day on the Gold Coast’s waterways make for some stunning views and great sight-seeing! The Gold Coast’s very own hop-on hop-off ferry is the perfect multi-generational way to spend a day. Departing hourly from five iconic Gold Coast destinations, including the famous Surfers Paradise and HOTA, Home of the Arts, you can hop on at any of the five stops, and stay aboard for the full loop (two hours) or explore the hop-off destinations at your leisure. Enjoy a drink from the onboard bar whilst the friendly captain keeps you entertained with informative commentary, music, local tips and wildlife spotting. Children can also meet the captain and have a turn driving the boat. There are a range of ticket options available, from day passes to long hops and short hops – depending on your budget and timeframes. Children under five always travel for free too!

Aquaduck

Another way to take to the water is with the iconic AquaDuck, and while it’s touristy, it’s a really great family outing, and perfect for multigenerational passengers. Embarking in the heart of Surfers Paradise, drive down the Esplanade overlooking the beautiful beaches and head towards The Spit. Once you reach the boat ramp just past SeaWorld, the tour changes pace and you’re heading for the water! Watch as the amphibious ‘duck’ changes from bus to boat and gently glides into the water. Now you’ll head through the Broadwater to check out how the millionaires live. You’ll finally return to land and drive down Tedder Avenue, before finishing back up at Cavill Avenue. The tour takes about an hour and is very family friendly, with children offered the chance to drive the boat and get their Captain’s certificate!

Children's Gallery Hota

While the HOTA Gallery may be designed to cater for international art exhibitions, grandparents looking to give the grandchildren some culture will feel right at home! The Children’s Gallery at HOTA Gallery lets little artists get hands on – you won’t find any “do not touch” signs here! The Children’s Gallery changes every few months, each time offering a variety of interactive exhibits that complement the main galleries. After visiting the Children’s Gallery, take a stroll through the other free Galleries where you’ll find a few installations that are interactive and the children will love. Be sure to also ride the lift to the top floor and take in the Gold Coast skyline view! Fabulous 270 degree views await and there’s a guide you can use to work out what all the buildings are.

Bamboo Down Under

Bamboo Down Under at Wongawallan is a garden centre with a difference. The perfect grandparent’s day out, here you can explore a species garden, meditation garden, labyrinth, sensory garden and bamboo tunnel, and get bamboozled in the bamboo maze! Children can take on the Scavenger Hunt to discover the hidden pandas, all the while having a look at some incredible ornamental species of bamboo. Don’t miss the Rainforest Walk, a very peaceful stroll through a forest of enormous bamboo varieties. Dotted throughout are information signs about bamboo, little panda ornaments and other garden statues. Don’t miss the enchanted hollow at the end of the Tunnel.

Cascade Gardens Broadbeach

The Cascade Gardens at Broadbeach has a special addition of a sensory garden designed for seniors, but it also makes for great fun for little ones! In the sensory garden you’ll find elements including a musical gong, wayfinding design and productive gardens that encourage you to interact with the gardens through sight, touch and smell. It’s a beautiful addition to the Gardens and makes this spot perfect for multi-generational get togethers! The playground is older in style, but the children don’t seem to mind. You’ll find a flying fox, rope bridge, rock climbing wall and a carousel.

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For the more active grandparents, a visit to Tropical Fruit World just over the NSW border in Duranbah is a fabulous day out for the family! Book a Farm Tour and experience a fruit tasting and a tractor-driven guided park tour. On the tour you can pick and eat bananas straight from the tree, crack macadamia nuts, feed and pat kangaroos, sheep, alpacas and miniature horses, and enjoy a short wildlife boat cruise too! At the end of the tour visit Wildlife Island and burn some energy on the flying fox, mini golf course and volleyball court. Then, check out the fruit market, café, and the huge sandpit by the grassed lawn to relax. If you live in the Tweed, Gold Coast, Byron, Lismore and Ballina, you can purchase tours at a discounted rate.

(Image with thanks to Tropical Fruit World)

The Messy Place

The generational gap can sometimes be hardest when the grandparents are tasked with spending time with energetic little toddlers. Keeping up with their ever-changing attention span, endless energy and natural curiosity is challenging for everyone! The Messy Place at Ashmore is the ultimate creative sensory play centre on the Gold Coast, designed exclusively for children under six years of age. They offer creative and messy play sessions in a safe and enjoyable environment, where they can unleash their imagination and make a mess. Exploration is encouraged, and grandparents can feel reassured being indoors in a secure, enclosed space. Sessions are booked on a casual basis and run five days per week.

National Grandparents’ Day is celebrated in Australia on the last Sunday of October. But as we all know, Grandparents Day is any day that the grandchildren can spend precious time with their grandparents. Whether you are a parent looking for how your child can have fun with grandma and grandpa or a grandparent seeking things to do with your grandchildren, we hope these ideas will inspire your time together.

We wholeheartedly believe in the proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ Little Scholars is proud to be a part of communities across South East Queensland, and we’re happy to play a small role in childhoods across the Gold Coast, Redlands and Brisbane.

We offer you and your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. Our belief is that through quality education and care for children we can also encourage, assist and support the entire family.

Our dedicated team of educators are committed to the individual needs and interests of children and their families, and thus we encourage and welcome family input and involvement.

We aim to be like an extension of your family and are very relationship-driven. We support nurturing relationships between our educators and your child, the relationships your child has with the other children who attend, and we value our relationship with you as the parent and other family members. So book a tour today to get started!

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

The children, educators, staff and families are celebrating Little Scholars George Street receiving an Exceeding result in the National Quality Standards (NQS) Assessment and Rating recently.

Situated in the heart of Brisbane’s bustling central business district, Little Scholars George Street provides exceptional early learning and care for 108 children. Its unique location places children just steps away from some of Brisbane’s most iconic cultural spaces, including the Queensland State Library, Brisbane Square Library, Queensland Museum, and the Gallery of Modern Art.

Excursions like these, which pique children’s curiosity and understanding of the world, are just some of the unique offerings from Little Scholars George Street.

As Little Scholars approaches its 10th anniversary of serving South East Queensland families, the children, and the educators, are the heart of what makes this exceeding campus so special.

“Our team is incredibly dedicated to providing the best early education experience for our little scholars,” says Jae Fraser, founder of Little Scholars. “The Exceeding rating is a testament to their hard work, innovation, and commitment to the children’s development. They consistently go above and beyond to create a nurturing environment where each child can thrive, while also supporting families by making Little Scholars a true home away from home.”

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Early education led by our little scholars, family and our community

Little Scholars’ Collective Curriculum emphasises how much of its educational experiences are child led, and this was noted in George Street’s assessment.

“Educators and service leaders actively sought the perspectives, opinions, and voices of children, families, and the community,” the assessment noted.

The assessment went on to say the George Street team demonstrated a strong, ongoing commitment to meaningful, authentic, and regular engagement to inform the program.

It highlighted the collaboration Little Scholars has with families and the community supported educators in designing and implementing programs that promoted belonging, valued each person’s unique contribution, and created a sense of wellbeing and calm throughout the service.

George Street team demonstrated a strong, ongoing commitment to meaningful, authentic, and regular engagement to inform the program.

An example of this approach is the Children’s Council, a key initiative at all Little Scholars campuses, including George Street. The Council, composed of children, their early childhood teacher, and educational leader, meets monthly to gather feedback on the children’s kindergarten experience and empower them to participate in decisions affecting their campus. The child-led meetings occasionally veer off-topic, but they offer invaluable insights into the children’s interests and perspectives.
Understanding how busy its families are, Little Scholars George Street goes the extra mile to ease parents’ daily challenges. The campus offers free parking, rare in the heart of Brisbane, along with a valet service where a caring staff member greets children and escorts them to the campus.

Additional support offered to families includes a daily breakfast bar, take-away meals to simplify dinner time, and quarterly date nights, giving parents the opportunity to reconnect while their children enjoy an evening of fun with friends.

“Given our proximity to government departments, law firms, and entertainment venues, we know our parents have demanding schedules,” Jae explains. “That’s why we’re committed to providing these additional services that truly make a difference in their daily lives.”

Campus pride of accomplishment
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Amy Robertson, campus manager of Little Scholars George Street can barely contain her excitement, and says she’s proud of her staff, who she believes always goes above and beyond.

“Our recent assessment and rating at George Street has highlighted the exceptional quality of care and education our campus provides. We are proud to receive an exceeding rating, a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our educators,” says Amy.

“This achievement has been warmly received by our families, with one parent expressing, ‘We always knew the campus was exceeding, it’s gratifying to see the staff receive this well-deserved recognition from the Department,’” she adds.

Little Scholars George Street’s Exceeding rating reflects the hard work and dedication of its entire community, and it highlights the exceptional quality of early education and care provided at this remarkable campus.

Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
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Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.
Your family-friendly guide to the northern Gold Coast

While many Gold Coasters head to the southern suburbs on the weekend, the northern suburbs should not be overlooked for family-friendly weekend adventures! Starting in Stapylton and reaching to Pimpama, the most northerly suburbs of the Gold Coast also include Yatala, Alberton, Steiglitz, Gilberton, Norwell, Ormeau and Jacobs Well. Here you will find unique family activities, a range of family-friendly dining options, and some of the Gold Coast’s most unique play spaces. Here is your guide to getting the most out of a day in the Northern most parts of the Gold Coast.

Unique family adventures

Yatala Drive In Cinema

South-east Queensland’s last original open-air Drive-In Cinema is located in Yatala, and boasts three massive screens accommodating up to 700 cars each night. Bring your camp chairs and sit out the back of your car to watch a movie, or bundle up the blankets, pillows and sleeping bags to make yourself comfortable in the back of your van, ute or car. Perfect for wriggly children, the privacy of sitting in your own vehicle means there is no need to worry if their bouncing around is bothering other cinema patrons. Movies screen every night of the week and they often host special event screenings too.

Diy Invasion

If your family is feeling creative, or looking to get messy, a workshop at DIY Invasion is sure to tick the box. Located at Staplyton, DIY Invasion run craft workshops ranging from resin art to painting, macrame and slime making – with their School Holiday Workshops always extremely popular for children. Another unique feature is their Splatter and Splash Room, which families can book for a private experience! Choose your own dance music, while letting your creativity run wild as you fling, flick, and splash paint around the room and over your fellow participants! This is a great space to unwind and tap into creativity.

Ormeau Community Lounge & Library

The only library located in the far northern suburbs, the Ormeau Community Lounge & Library is a hidden gem. Here you can visit the Gold Coast’s only Book Box corner, an early year’s library and play-based learning space delivered in partnership with Queensland State Library’s First 5 Forever program. Here children do not have to worry about being quiet, and they are actively encouraged to play with the many games and play resources available. Open six days a week, families can join in Story Time on Friday and Saturday mornings, or participate in Baby Rhyme Time and Toddler Time sessions during the week.

Dining for the whole family

Distillery Road Market The Fed

Distillery Road Market is a fresh and exciting new venue located in Eagleby, home to The F.E.D, a 2000-person food and entertainment space. Here you’ll find an expansive indoor/outdoor dining area, with a range of on-site eateries to choose from. Open Thursday – Sunday, the venue is family friendly with live music each evening and long beerhall-style tables to choose from. The best part is that diners can choose meals from six different food outlets, meaning that all tastes and dietary requirements can be catered for! The casual vibe of this venue is perfect for an early dinner with the family, where children and parents can relax, move around, dance and enjoy a great meal together.

Yatala Pies

Yatala Pies has been a landmark in the Yatala area for more than 130 years, these days selling around 3,500 pies daily! Well known as a halfway stop on the journey between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, northern Gold Coast locals are lucky to have this icon right here in their backyard. Selling some of the best pies on the Gold Coast, the quality is exceptional and the range delicious. Choose from dine in or takeaway, you can grab a hot, ready-to-eat snack pie, or take-home, oven-ready family pies and snack pie packs. With something for everyone, the family will love a stop in at Yatala Pies any time of the day.

Norfolk Tavern

The Norfolk Tavern has got to be the most family-friendly dining option in the northern Gold Coast. Indoors you will find a bright and spacious dining room, while outside there is a wraparound veranda with ample space for dining, opening on to a huge children’s playground. The award-winning Bistro has menu options to suit every taste, from fresh seafood to steaks, pastas, salads and all the traditional pub fare. Extremely popular on weekends, be sure to book a spot on the deck if you are dining with children for easy line of sight from your table to the playground.

 

Places to play

Calypso Bay Playground

A nautical themed playground appropriate for its position by the water and close by the Calypso Bay Marina, here you’ll find a pirate ship brimming with bridges, wheels, slides and nets – be careful, you might even be asked to walk the plank! Underneath the pirate ship the imaginative play space is further extended, with a small shop counter set up, tunnel frames and other interactive game panels. The swing set with all abilities swing is always popular, as is the spinners and hammock swing. There’s also a little boat for children to pretend to fish or start the engine!

Lions Park Jacobs Well

While many think the most northern beach area for children to swim is at Paradise Point, there is a lesser-known spot at the very northern edge of the Gold Coast – Lions Park at Jacobs Well. With easy access from the carpark, you are at a small, shaded beach in just a few steps. The swimming enclosure here has a small sandy beach, a large shade sail over the sand, and few waves, making it ideal for toddlers and younger children gaining confidence in the ocean. Parents will love the ability to sit on a blanket under the shade and still be close enough to their children in the water.  

Outlook Park

While the playground at Outlook Park, Ormeau may be tiny, pack the bicycles and prepare yourselves for the surprise bike tracks that make this a fabulous spot to visit! Set on a steep slope, Outlook Park is laid out over three levels. At the top you’ll find a small playground best suited for toddlers, and then on the middle and lower level there are two bike tracks, perfect for racing on. While the playground is very small, the bike tracks are great for bicycles, skateboards or scooters, and children will love lining up at the start line and racing the loops to the finish. Celebrate with some pretend play medal ceremonies on the dais at the track!

Hilltop Park

Hilltop Park in Ormeau is an older park, but still delivers a great time. Split into two sections, toddlers will love the smaller, shady play area with a car, climbing frame and mini playground with slide and swing. The main playground space is better suited for children over five, with a larger playground and slide, large climbing net, balance beams, spinners and swings. Children can also climb the ramp up to the old water tower, which has been converted into a play structure.

The northern Gold Coast offers a variety of unique and exciting activities for the whole family. From classic drive-in movies to hands-on creative workshops, scenic playgrounds, and delicious dining options, these suburbs have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day by the water or a more adventurous outing, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. Next time you’re planning a family day out, consider exploring the hidden gems of Stapylton, Ormeau, Yatala, and beyond—you might just discover your new favourite weekend spot!

Little Scholars provides quality early education and care for children across South East Queensland, including five early learning campuses in Stapylton, Yatala and Ormeau.

We offer your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. We believe that through quality education and care for children, we can also encourage, assist, and support the entire family.

Our dedicated team of educators are committed to the individual needs and interests of children and their families, and thus we encourage and welcome family input and involvement.

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

These days, life feels busier, more rushed, more overwhelming, so the need for bringing calm into our bodies and minds has never been more welcome.

We introduced our Little Scholars Mindfulness Program back in 2021, a time when the world was chaotic, and the early learning sector was facing its own unique challenges. While thankfully we’ve moved through that period and the world has adjusted, the importance of mindfulness, yoga, and meditation in early learning remains significant. These practices continue to play a crucial role in helping children develop focus, emotional resilience, and a sense of inner peace that supports their overall growth and wellbeing. But that’s not all these practices offer children.

We’ll share all the benefits mindfulness practices provide children, and we get to speak with Annette Hartland, a former Little Scholars educator who now teaches yoga and meditation full time to young children, including our little scholars. 

Meet Annette
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Annette once worked as an educator in our Ashmore campus, leaving to follow her passion of becoming a yoga instructor. However, achieving her dream meant she actually returned to us in a different capacity, she now leads yoga and meditation practice at several of our campuses and our support office.

We asked Annette how she got started practicing yoga, and what she saw as the benefits of mindfulness practices for children.

 How did you get involved in yoga and what is it like to mix your passion for yoga with your great affection for young children?
It’s been so long that I don’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t practised some type of yoga/meditation. The short story is that my sister asked me to attend classes with her just after my second child was born. I’ve attended regularly ever since. My daughter’s almost 30 years old! Cliche as it sounds, Children are the future. They are inquisitive, flexible in mind and body and are ready to learn. It is vital to nurture this love of learning and develop a discipline of moving within their own space and taking time to be calm and think.

What are the emotional benefits of the practice?
Yoga and meditation practice take you inside yourself to be more aware of the movement of your breath, your body and your mind. We use the breath to be able to deal with situations calmly. One deep inhalation and a long exhalation remind us to pause to consider all the possibilities. Yoga teaches that all living beings are connected. This has a positive benefit for all living creatures. The children feel the difference between moving, being still and being relaxed.

What are the physical benefits?
Move it or lose it is the simplest answer. Children become aware of how much space they like at particular times eg. resting by themselves, partner poses, time to move with wide arms and stance or just a little space around their body. They develop concentration to maintain balance, they strengthen their muscles and become more flexible. We love moving rigorously and then freezing – the difference between effort and ease, mobile and relaxed.

What have you witnessed after teaching yoga with the children?
After teaching certain breathwork or postures, which I learned through the Zenergy yoga therapy course, the children settle more easily and are able to participate with more awareness. Some children are more aware of others and volunteer to be giving of themselves.

Do you have any advice for parents on bringing more mindfulness at home?
Take the time to be present to your children for a while each day, at least 10 minutes. No TV or telephones or music – just you and your child. Take a walk in nature, gaze at the stars, sit with a pet, cuddle on the couch and chat or be silent or breathe together. Listen, smell, taste, touch, feel … connect. This makes precious memories with your children.

The benefits of yoga for children
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As mentioned, one facet of our mindfulness program is offering our little scholars yoga sessions delivered by experts like Annette, and as she says, yoga offers a multitude of benefits for emotional and physical development, backed by research.

On the physical side, yoga enhances flexibility, coordination, balance, and posture. Yoga requires our full attention, requiring us to focus on the present and be fully aware of what our body is doing at any one time. It also helps develop fine and gross motor skills, guiding us to learn to control breathing, our stance and where we’re putting our weight, and flowing through to the next posture.

On the emotional side, by focusing on movement, balance, breathing and everything else that yoga requires of us means that we’re fully present in the moment,  practicing self-awareness and mindfulness, reducing stress and any outside ‘noise’, promoting relaxation, bringing a sense of calm and wellbeing. In turn, this means we’re developing emotional regulation and resilience.

For children who are just learning how to interpret and manage their emotions, this is a fantastic way for them to deal with life’s challenges big and small.

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Breathing to calm

Another and even easier way to bring more mindfulness to our day-to-day that anyone, including children, can do is practice breathing techniques to calm the mind and body. Here are some of our favourite breathing techniques for children.

1. Ask children to lie on the floor and place a small object, such as a soft toy or bean bag on their belly. Get them to place their hands by their side and breathe normally, watching the object go up and down. You could count as they inhale and exhale ‘breathe in 1, 2, 3, breathe out 1,2,3.’

2. Print or cut out some square, rectangle or triangle shapes and give one to each child. Ask the children to trace their finger around the shape, breathing in while moving their finger along one edge of the shape, hold their breath for a few seconds before breathing out, while tracing around the next side of the shape. Repeat this a number of times. 

Children can also use their own hand as the shape, using a finger on the other hand to trace up the side of a finger while breathing in and down the other side of the finger while breathing out, before moving on the next finger.

3. While sitting comfortably, model for the children how to create a circle shape with their hands and ask them to imagine that inside the circle is a mug of hot chocolate. Ask the children to breathe in slowly to smell the hot chocolate, and then blow out slowly to cool it down, repeating this a number of times.

Research:

Yoga for Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Well-Being: Research Review and Reflections on the Mental Health Potentials of Yoga: Ingunn Hagen and Usha S. Nayar, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway New School University, New York, USA

The effects of yoga on mental health in school-aged children: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Randomised Control Trials, Kirti Khunti, Sadie Boniface, Emma Norris, Cesar M De Oliveira, and Nicola Shelton, University College London (UCL), London, UK, Kings College London, London, UK,
Brunel University, London, UK

Scoping Review of Yoga in Schools: Mental Health and Cognitive Outcomes in Both Neurotypical and Neurodiverse Youth Populations, Niamh Hart, Samantha Fawkner, Ailsa Niven, Josie N Booth,  University of Edinburgh

Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
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Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our new guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.

The Gold Coast is known for its abundance of good food and stunning dining options, but when you have young children in tow – often the thought of dining out can be daunting. Thankfully, many local restauranteurs have heard the call of parents seeking family-friendly dining options. We’re now seeing dining venues with amazing menus, family-friendly fit outs and features to help keep the children occupied while you enjoy a hot meal. Whether it be a playground, a simple children’s corner, or open spaces to move around safely, there are plenty of choices for you to enjoy your next meal out. Here are my top six family-friendly dining venues on the Gold Coast that you should be sure to visit!

Northern Gold Coast

Cafe 63 Coomera

This shopping centre café is a hidden gem, saving the sanity of parents for many years now. With opening hours stretching from 5.30am – 9pm, you can often find those parents with early-risers enjoying a hot coffee at Café 63 in the early hours. Located in the incredible “Backyard” precinct at Westfield Coomera, the outdoor dining area overlooks a fun-filled obstacle course with adventure play suited to four-eight year olds. For the youngest children, a nearby splash pad and toddler sensory zone also serve as great spaces to stretch the legs while waiting for your meals to be served. The menu here is extensive and well-priced, including a fabulous children’s menu that will please everyone.

The Wattle Hotel

Here you will find a huge indoor children’s playground for four-12 year olds, with a family specific dining space attached. Separate from the rest of The Wattle Hotel’s restaurant, this glassed-off dining room overlooks the playground and contains about 15 tables. Here children can easily move back and forth between the playground and the table while their parents can see them at all times. There is a great children’s menu and delicious daily specials to enjoy, this is modern bistro dining that can be enjoyed by all the family.

Central Gold Coast

Cadence Cafe

A café best known amongst the Coast’s cyclists thanks to its location near the Velodrome and bike shops, Cadence Café also caters beautifully to families seeking great food. Set across three terraced levels, the venue is connected by a central path and steps – at the top is the café, the middle level has plenty of dining tables and chairs, and the lower level is home to high bar tables overlooking a fenced children’s play space. All levels are shaded by a beautiful fig tree, have ramp access, and dogs are also welcome in the outdoor areas. Serving breakfast and lunch, the menu caters well to families, and you are sure to enjoy a delicious meal.

Latte Lounge

Just off the hustle and bustle of Olsen Avenue sits the Latte Lounge, a family-friendly oasis amongst the gum trees. Here you will find house-roasted specialty coffee and a delectable brunch menu, plus one of the best children’s menus you will find at a café. The open-air café is almost the second-best attraction, when you see the large, easily accessible playground right in the middle of the café. Designed for all ages, this fenced café and playground is covered by large shade sails and offers plenty of shady spots to enjoy your meal. With its central Gold Coast location, this is also an extremely popular spot for birthday parties and play dates. Thankfully, due to the size of the café and playground it never feels overly busy or crowded and is always a delightful outing.

Southern Gold Coast

Nobbys Shack

This hidden gem on the southern end at first appears to be a juice bar, but venture inside and you will find a breezy indoor/outdoor café with children’s playground! Popular with the locals, this unassuming little spot is filled with sunshine, great food and service with a smile. This is a family-run café with its roots in healthy superfoods that taste phenomenal. Dog friendly, the outdoor deck is the place to be, with easy line of site to the children’s playground. The café kitchen is only open Thursday – Monday, but the juice and smoothie bar is open 7 days.

Bskt

With beautiful coastal vibes, indoor/outdoor dining is essential on the Gold Coast, and BSKT serves it up perfectly. Located just steps away from the beach, BSKT has delicious food, ample seating and a fenced children’s play area. Pronounced biscuit, this menu is packed with vibrant colours and bold flavours, but also caters well to children. BSKT doesn’t take books and this spot is extremely popular on the weekend, but wait times are usually short. Be sure to grab a spot outside under the patio to have easy access to the play area! Why not pack the swimwear and walk over to the beach afterwards!

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

Building confidence in early learners through play

Children’s positive views of themselves as learners are more important than being told they are clever.

This insight from Nathan Wallis’s talk at the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) conference resonated with us, and we believe it’s valuable for parents to hear. Our intention isn’t to make parents feel guilty for praising their children’s intelligence. We understand that parents aim to foster a strong sense of self and ability in their children, and we fully support this. However, Wallis emphasises that before the age of seven, children don’t need to prove their intelligence. Instead, they need to develop learning skills through play and believe in their ability to learn. According to Wallis, more play and less structured learning before age seven leads to better outcomes in adulthood.

“To put it simply, before seven, it doesn’t matter how clever your child is. What matters is how clever your child feels and their disposition towards themselves as learners,” Wallis, an educator who focuses on neuroscience, explained on the Future Focus podcast.

“You’re better off having a six-year-old who can only count to 20 but thinks they’re a good learner than a six-year-old who can count to 100 but doubts their cleverness.”

Wallis highlights that free play boosts creativity and problem-solving, which are essential for intelligence. Letting children freely build, create, and explore supports flexible thinking and a positive learning mindset.

Supporting children to view themselves positively

At the conference, which attracted hundreds of early childhood educators, Wallis offered advice on how to support children in their confidence and ability to learn:

  • Support children’s sense of security through consistent and warm nurturing relationships
  • Give children your full attention, showing interest, understanding, and attunement
  • Support children’s progress in play-based learning by thoughtfully extending their knowledge, skills, and concept development
  • Provide flexible and open-ended learning environments
  • Provide feedback focused on effort and process, rather than outcome or product
  • Respond to children’s displays of learning dispositions by commenting on them and providing encouragement and additional ideas. 

Experts at Early Childhood Australia agree that children learn about themselves, others, and the world around them through play.

“If you provide your child with plenty of opportunities for playing, exploring, discovering their interests, solving problems, and tackling challenges, then you’ll be laying a strong foundation for building self-confidence,” says David Lyons, CEO of Nido Early School, in a post on ECA’s The Spoke blog.

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Effective praise and handling disappointment

According to Be You, the national mental health and wellbeing initiative for learning communities in Australia, praise is most effective when adults are mindful of how and when they use it.

When praising children, Be You suggests focusing on their efforts and achievements.

“Praise that’s specific and acknowledges the process of completing an activity or solving a problem helps develop children’s learning and motivation. For example, you might say, ‘You put away your toys so nicely,’ ‘I noticed you were really trying hard at building that block tower,’ or ‘You’ve used so many bright colours in your painting.’ Children can then use this learning when they have similar experiences in the future.”

Lyons agrees and cautions against overpraising.

“Children need to discover and learn those things that give them personal enjoyment and fulfilment, not just do things to please their parents. Similarly, comparing a child to others can be detrimental to their confidence and self-esteem.”

Dealing with disappointment is also crucial for developing confidence.

“Everyone fails to achieve their goals sometimes – and this isn’t a bad thing. You can build children’s ability to deal with challenges by responding sympathetically and with encouragement, helping children focus on what they can change, and challenging ‘I can’t’ thinking by showing and saying you believe in them and reminding them of their achievements,” says Be You.

Wallis reinforces that play enables children to develop social, cognitive, and emotional skills through their own interests and in creative and innovative ways.

“Play-based learning teaches creativity, which is fundamental to growing intelligence and the ability to problem-solve. When children can take their time and make multiple attempts before achieving success, they build resilience and other important skills needed later in life,” says Wallis.

Encouraging a positive self-view in early learners

Supporting children in developing a positive self-view as learners is crucial, especially in their early years. Emphasising the importance of play over structured learning fosters creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. By providing nurturing relationships, paying attention to their efforts, and creating flexible learning environments, we can help children build the confidence they need to thrive.

As Nathan Wallis and other experts highlight, the goal is to make children feel capable and enthusiastic about learning. This foundation will benefit them not only in school but throughout their lives. At Little Scholars, we encourage our little ones to play, explore, and believe in themselves – because how they see themselves as learners today will shape their success tomorrow.

Over the past couple of months, we have started to launch woodworking stations at our campuses! But why, you may ask. It’s dangerous! They could get hurt! At Little Scholars, we actively guide children through ‘risky’ activities to build up their skills, confidence, and resilience. Engaging in woodworking helps children learn to assess and manage risks, develop fine motor skills, and boost their creativity and problem-solving abilities. By introducing these activities in a controlled and supervised environment, we ensure they gain valuable life skills while staying safe.

 The children at our Ashmore campus were the first to start their own project by wanting to build a frame. The children and their educators devised a plan for the project and took a trip down to their local Bunnings to source their own tools and materials, and completed their project over the week!
Skills learned through using tools

Woodworking is an excellent way for children to exercise their creative, practical and critical thinking skills. It allows them to express their ideas and figure out solutions to their projects.

As they measure, cut, and assemble pieces of wood, they enhance their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. These activities require precision and control, which are crucial for writing, drawing, and other tasks. Furthermore, using tools like hammers, saws, and sandpaper teaches them how to handle and manipulate objects with care and accuracy.

Confidence and resilience

Guiding children through woodworking activities helps build their confidence and resilience. Completing a woodworking project, no matter how simple, gives children a sense of accomplishment and boosts their self-esteem. They learn that they can create something tangible and useful with their own hands. Additionally, the process often involves overcoming challenges and solving problems, which teaches persistence and resilience. These qualities are essential for tackling academic challenges and life’s obstacles.

 

Woodworking
Planning and assessment

Our little scholars begin their woodworking projects by making a plan. This may look like drawing out their project, or making a model out of cardboard or building blocks,  discussing with their friends and educators what they’d like to build, how they’d like it to look, what tools they need in order to make their design come to life, and figure out any risks there may be and how to reduce chances of hurting themselves.

Risk management

Introducing woodworking in a controlled environment allows children to learn about risk management. They are taught how to use tools safely, understand the potential dangers, and take appropriate precautions. This hands-on experience with ‘risky’ activities helps them develop a healthy respect for safety and risk assessment. They learn to think ahead, plan their actions, and make informed decisions to minimise risks, which are valuable skills both in and out of the workshop.

Some of their documented conversations with educators have included:

How can we make sure we are safe when using the tool table?

“You have to wear safety glasses.”

“If you step on a nail you can hurt your feet.”

“It can’t be too busy, I might knock something over or into someone and hurt them.”

What do you do at the tool table?

“I can measure the wood.”

“When I’m at the table I use the screwdriver.”

“I use nails to put in the wood.”

How does it make you feel when you build at the tool table?

“I like tools because I can screw something in.”

“I feel happy because I can make something.”

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Creativity and problem-solving

Woodworking supports creativity and problem-solving skills. As children design and build their projects, they must think creatively to overcome design challenges and find solutions. This process encourages them to experiment, explore new ideas, and think outside the box. The ability to approach problems creatively and develop innovative solutions is a real skill in today’s world, where adaptability and innovation are highly valued.

Educational value

In addition to the practical skills, woodworking integrates educational concepts such as maths and science. Measuring pieces of wood, calculating dimensions, and understanding geometric shapes are all part of the woodworking process. Children also learn about the properties of different materials and the principles of mechanics and engineering. This hands-on application of academic subjects helps to reinforce their learning and makes these concepts more tangible and understandable.

By providing children with the opportunity to engage in woodworking, we are equipping them with a wide range of skills and experiences that will benefit them throughout their lives. Through careful supervision and guidance, we ensure that they can enjoy the benefits of this fun activity safely.

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Come and see the Little Scholars difference

Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!

Come and see the Little Scholars difference

Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!