Beach kinder sessions provide rich learning experiences

The children from Kids Club Torquay have been heading down to the local beach, not to catch waves, but to learn about their natural environment.

After many months of planning, the educator team at the community early learning centre developed a program to help children form connections with their town, environment, community and each other.

Educational leader Amy Hyland said the session was a first for the long day care early childhood services in the area.

“We were a bit nervous, but it was a true tribute to all our planning and our amazing children because our first beach session went swimmingly,” Amy said.

From creating imaginary group games, to rolling and leaping around in the sand, or investigating different creatures washed up from the tide, children at Kids Club Torquay beach sessions are engaging in non-structured learning and inquiry-based play, helping develop a lifelong love of learning.

“True free play with a wealth of rich learning may not have been obvious, but was definitely embedded in all that they did,” Amy said.

“We can’t wait to see how their play and learning progresses and evolves in the weeks ahead as the children re-visit the site and move along the beach. We can already imagine how different their interactions will be in the weeks to come.

“These kinder sessions are helping to develop environmentally conscious citizens. The respect and love the children have already shown for the environment, their town, the wildlife and each other has already blown me away.

“On the way back, one of the children picked up a plastic bottle and said, ‘We don’t want a bird to eat it’. This cemented the importance of spending time in nature and how valuable these sessions are for both the children, but also us as educators.

“Our environment and world is bursting with life and it is up to us to protect it and help others see the importance in protecting it, and at Kids Club, our kinder children are really leading the way.”

Kids Club Torquay is located at 3-5 Attunga Drive, Torquay and is open from 6.30am–6pm Monday to Friday. To arrange a tour or to find out more, phone 5261 9822 or visit guardian.edu.au/childcare-early-learning-centres/vic/torquay-kids-club.