This learning experience is designed to approach the topic gently through play, storytelling, small‑world exploration, and hands‑on creativity. Rather than focusing on danger, it highlights helpers, community care, and nature’s remarkable ability to heal and regrow. The aim is to empower children with knowledge in a developmentally appropriate way, supporting emotional regulation while strengthening their connection to Country and community.
By engaging with familiar materials, calm routines, and open‑ended play, children can explore big ideas safety, responsibility, resilience, and environmental cycles in ways that feel safe, supported, and meaningful. This plan honours children’s voices, respects cultural perspectives on fire and land care, and provides educators with a thoughtful, responsive framework for guiding conversations during bushfire season.
Learning Focus
To support children’s understanding of bushfires in a developmentally safe, empowering way through sensory play, storytelling, and exploration of community helpers and environmental regrowth.
Learning Outcomes
- Outcome 1.1 – Children feel safe, secure, and supported
- Outcome 2.4 – Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment
- Outcome 3.2 – Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and safety
- Outcome 4.1 – Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence
- Outcome 5.1 – Children interact verbally and non‑verbally for a range of purposes
Rationale
Bushfires are part of Australian life. Children may see smoke, hear sirens, or experience community conversations. This experience provides a calm, play‑based way to explore safety, helpers, and nature’s regrowth without fear or overwhelm.
Experience Title
“Fire, Helpers & New Growth”—A Play‑Based Exploration of Bushfires
Materials
- Toy fire trucks, firefighter figures, helmets, walkie‑talkies
- Natural materials: gum leaves, sticks, seed pods, charcoal pieces (clean)
- Green felt or fabric for “regrowth”
- Small world, animals
- Large paper, paints (reds, oranges, yellows, greens), spray bottles with water
- Books about firefighters or Australian bushland (non‑graphic)
- Photos of bushland before/after regrowth (gentle, non‑distressing)
Learning Experience Steps
1. Welcome Circle – Gentle Conversation
- Acknowledge what children may have noticed (smoke, sirens, weather).
- Use simple, reassuring language:
“Sometimes fires happen in nature. Grown‑ups have plans to keep everyone safe.” - Invite children’s questions or observations.
2. Small World Play: “Firefighters to the Rescue”
Set up a small world scene with:
- Trees, animals, toy firefighters
- A “fire zone” using red/orange fabric
- A “safe zone” and “regrowth zone”
Children explore:
- Helping animals
- Calling firefighters
- Moving objects to safety
- Using water spray bottles to “put out” the fire
Intentional teaching:
- Model calm problem‑solving
- Introduce vocabulary: smoke, fire truck, hose, helpers, safe place, regrowth
3. Art Experience: “Colours of Fire & New Life”
Two stations:
- Fire colours – red, orange, yellow paint
- Regrowth colours – greens, browns, natural materials for printing
Children create:
- Fire colour blending
- Leaf prints
- “Before and after” bushland scenes
Extension:
Spray bottles for water‑mist effects.
4. Dramatic Play: Fire Station Role‑Play
Provide:
- Helmets
- Jackets
- Clipboards
- Walkie‑talkies
- Cones for “blocked roads”
Children practice:
- Calling 000 in pretend play
- Teamwork
- Helping scenarios
- Fire drill routines
5. Storytime: Helpers & Healing
Choose a gentle book focusing on:
- Firefighters
- Community helpers
- Australian bushland regrowth
Pause to ask:
- “What are the helpers doing?”
- “How does the land grow again?”
6. Reflection Circle
Invite children to share:
- What they learned
- What helpers do
- How nature grows back
- How they feel now
Use visual prompts (emotion stones, puppets).
Assessment - What to Look For
- Children expressing understanding of safety routines
- Use of new vocabulary
- Empathy for people, animals, and the environment
- Ability to role-play helpers and problem-solve
- Curiosity about nature and regrowth
- Emotional regulation during discussions
Extensions
- Plant native seeds and observe regrowth
- Invite a local firefighter for a non‑emergency visit
- Create a class “Safety Plan” poster
- Nature walk to observe bushland changes
- Sensory tray with sand, charcoal, leaves, and green felt for regrowth play
Family Connections
Share with families:
- What children explored
- How to talk calmly about bushfires at home
- Local community safety information
- Photos of children’s regrowth artwork
Invite families to contribute:
- Photos of local bushland
- Stories of community helpers
- Cultural knowledge about fire and land care
Further Reading
Teaching Children About Bushfires
Talking to Children About Bushfires
Birdie And The Fire—Free Children's Storybook About Bushfires
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