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Early education and childcare can provide children with opportunities to develop independence and build their social understanding early. 90 - 95 per cent of the brain is developed by the time a child turns six, this means the early years of childhood can drastically impact a child's abilities and brain structure as they begin to grow. After this time the brain will slowly adapt and develop the remaining five per cent until about the age of 25. Early education and developmental support has the…

In our rapidly evolving modern world, children need opportunities to develop deep and meaningful connections with nature. Fostering empathetic connections with the living environment is the foundation of the Nature Play Program: it is as important to the child as it is to the natural world. Nurturing connections to the natural world sparks a child's journey from an ego-centric view of the environment to understanding the interconnectedness between the human and more-than-human world. Australian…

The journey of a child's education begins long before they step into the classroom. The formative years, particularly the first five, lay the groundwork for not only academic achievement but also social and emotional development. In this critical period, children embark on a path that shapes their future educational trajectory. Early exposure to quality learning experiences will give children essential skills in fostering confidence, resilience, and curiosity. Research shows that up to 90…

Free unstructured play is one of the cornerstones of emotional, physical, social and cognitive child development. Play is important for children in countless areas of early development, such as language, social skills, problem solving, creativity and motor skills. In this article, Naomi Linssen, Deputy Head of Wardle House at Toorak College, examines why play is an opportunity for children to learn essential life skills early in their lives. Growing through social emotional learning As a…

Empowering children by providing a safe space for play, exploration, and learning is one of the main tasks for educators from early learning through to graduation. Facilitating and creating opportunities for play in early learning is an important step in creating confident and empowered students. In this blog, Toorak College Early Learning Teacher Rowena Thorne explores how play can help empower students and encourage self-discovery. The role of play in student empowerment Jean Piaget's famous…

Early skill development The first five years of your child’s life are pivotal, not only in the acquisition of language but also in becoming socialised and working as a member of a group. These skills also are crucial to developing long-lasting academic benefits. The earlier your child is exposed to quality learning experiences, the more confidence and resilience they will gain leading into primary education. Kindergarten and Pre-Prep assists in improving your child’s health and wellbeing, the…

The importance of facing challenges head-on is a fundamental theme in our children’s learning journey, particularly from Kindergarten to Year 4. As educators and parents, we need to allow for teachable moments which provide opportunities for our children to navigate these pivotal experiences and lessons. Positive mental health hinges on the balance of protective actions such as providing a stable environment and modelling healthy coping mechanisms vs. risk factors that encourage adversity. Our…

This week, Toorak College welcomed best-selling Australian author and psychologist Steve Biddulph to speak as part of our Wellbeing Information Series, The Loop. Recognised globally for his work on parenting, Steve’s Raising Girls and Raising Boys talks were informative, charming, heartfelt, and oh so relatable! Over two nights, Steve shared his wealth of professional experience and expertise to an audience that were captivated by every word. As a mother of a young boy and twin girls, here…

The Greatest Showman has captivated the students of Toorak College this Term. It’s signature anthem ‘This is Me’ is regularly hummed by our girls as they walk through the Cloisters and is often heard playing in the dance studio and the music centre. There is no doubt that The Greatest Showman is a fun movie with memorable music, but what makes it stand out is the compelling plot and the many lessons that can be found throughout.Embrace your individuality and be proud of who you are.