Milestones Early Learning Edgewater

Shape Matching – Magnet Block Puzzle!

Our wee Djiti Djiti learners explored shape recognition and visual matching through a traced magnet block puzzle!

Using colourful magnetic blocks and matching outlines, the children were encouraged to look closely at the shapes, turn and move the pieces and work out where each one belonged. There was plenty of rotating, comparing, checking and a few “Ohhh, it goes there!” moments along the way!

As the children matched each block to its traced shape, they were developing shape recognition, spatial awareness, problem solving, concentration and fine motor control.

We loved watching the children persist when a piece didn’t quite fit and use their own thinking to work out what needed to change. Sometimes the best learning happens when we simply give our wee learners the time and space to look, think, try and try again! 💜

✨💎 Treasure Stone Art! 💎✨

Here Wardongs discovered that sometimes a little stone can create a LOT of magic!

We introduced three different types of special treasure stones. Then the children placed their treasure stone onto the paper, carefully lined their marker up against it and then gently pushed the stone across the page. As the stone travelled, it guided the marker and created beautiful swirls, curves, lines and patterns across the paper.

We encouraged the children to experiment with changing the direction, speed and pressure of their movements and to notice how these little changes created completely different marks.

Along the way we chatted about what they could see:

💭 “What happens if you push your stone slowly?”
💭 “Can you make a big swirl?”
💭 “What happens when your stone changes direction?”

What looked like a simple bit of sparkly fun was also supporting fine motor strength, hand/eye coordination, controlled movement, spatial awareness and creative mark making.

And the best part? Every piece of artwork was completely different because every child had their own ideas about where their little treasure stone should travel. 💜✨

Early mornings, night waking, the bedtime stall... sound familiar? 🌙

Sleep consultant Anna Baker from SleepBaker is running a free sleep workshop at Milestones Edgewater this October. It's for families with babies right through to eight-year-olds.

📍 Milestones Early Learning Edgewater
🗓 Thursday 29 October, 1.30pm
💛 Free and open to all families, not just Milestones families

Book your free spot 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baby-toddler-sleep-masterclass-at-milestones-edgewater-tickets-2002108338937

Our Djiti Djiti friends have been exploring shapes today through a very tasty looking shape pizza collage! 🍕💕

With circles, triangles, squares and rectangles on offer, the children were encouraged to choose their own shapes, arrange them and create their very own pizza masterpieces.

As they peeled, positioned and pressed their shapes onto the pizza base, the children were developing fine motor control, hand/eye coordination, shape recognition and spatial awareness - all while making some very creative pizzas!

We talked about the different shapes we could see, compared their sizes and discussed where the children might like to place each shape on their pizza. Most importantly, there was plenty of opportunity for the children to make their own choices and create their pizza in their own way.

Who knew a little bit of paper, glue and some shapes could make us all so hungry!

Personal Space Mapping – Social Awareness

Today our Wardongs explored the very important idea of personal space, boundaries and respecting the space of others.

Using familiar studio and waiting room scenarios, the children positioned little people within each space and then decided where they thought it would be comfortable and respectful for someone to sit. We talked about noticing where others are already sitting, leaving enough room for people to move and understanding that everyone’s idea of comfortable space can be a little different.

Rather than simply asking “Where can I sit?”, we encouraged the children to think, “How might the other person feel?” 💜

And then came the real life learning moment… Later in the day, one Wardong asked a friend to give her some space. Her friend moved back and asked, “Is this far enough away for space?” 🥹

That little conversation was such a beautiful reminder that social learning doesn’t stay at the table. It follows us into our play, our friendships and our everyday interactions.

Learning to recognise our own boundaries, communicate our needs and respect the boundaries of others is a pretty important life skill for our wee Wardongs. 💜

🌉 Can You Build a Bridge? 🌉

Today our Wardongs became engineers as they took on a very important STEM challenge - building a bridge across our river so our people and animals could safely get from one side to the other!

The children experimented with LEGO, testing different ways to make their bridges stand strong. Building the middle section proved to be a tricky little challenge, with plenty of bridges collapsing along the way! Rather than giving up, the children were encouraged to look at what happened, make changes and have another go. 🧱

This type of hands on STEM learning provides wonderful opportunities for children to develop problem solving, spatial awareness, planning, persistence, collaboration and critical thinking - all important foundations for school and beyond.

We encouraged the children to think like little engineers by asking questions such as, “What could you change?”, “How could you make it stronger?” and “How will your people get across?”

There wasn’t one “right” bridge today. The learning was in the thinking, testing, rebuilding and trying again. And when a bridge collapsed? Well… back to the drawing board! 😆

Our Wardongs are learning that sometimes things don’t work the first time - and that’s simply an invitation to think a little differently and have another go. 💜

Today our Wardongs explored our colourful rainbow cutting experience, combining creativity with some very important school-readiness skills.

Working in small groups, the children practised using scissors safely, developing their pencil-and-scissor grip, bilateral coordination, hand strength and hand/eye coordination. We talked about our little smiley faces on the scissors staying up and the important job of our “helper hand” as we held and moved the paper.

The children also practised colour recognition, visual matching, following instructions, concentrating on a task and making independent decisions about their creations. 🌈

And, of course, school readiness isn’t about everyone producing the exact same rainbow! We encouraged colour matching while still allowing plenty of room for creativity and individual expression. Some rainbows followed the colours beautifully, while others became wonderfully colourful creations of their own. 💜

These seemingly simple experiences are full of important foundations for school - fine motor control, concentration, confidence, independence, following directions, problem solving and persistence. Most importantly, the children are learning that they are capable learners who can have a go, make choices and ask for help when they need it.

Little hands, big learning and lots of colourful practice! 🌈✂️💜

💤 Tired of bedtime battles, overnight wake-ups or those very early starts to the day?

We're excited to welcome Anna Baker from SleepBaker to Milestones Early Learning Edgewater for a FREE Baby & Toddler Sleep Masterclass designed to help families get more sleep and feel more confident navigating common sleep challenges.

Whether you're caring for a newborn, managing toddler sleep struggles, or supporting a child with changing sleep needs, this practical and relaxed session will provide gentle strategies you can use at home to create healthier sleep habits and more restful nights.

✨ Learn practical sleep tips from an experienced sleep consultant
✨ Understand what's normal when it comes to children's sleep
✨ Ask questions and get expert advice
✨ Connect with other local families

👶 Children are welcome, so there's no need to find a babysitter.

☕ Light refreshments will be provided.

Places are limited and bookings are essential.

🎟️ Reserve your free ticket here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baby-toddler-sleep-masterclass-at-milestones-edgewater-tickets-2002108338937

Tag a friend who could use a little more sleep. 😴💙