Caring for Creatures Great and Small: How Your Family Can Help Local Wildlife Thrive
If your little one lights up at the sight of a butterfly, insists on rescuing snails from the footpath, or could spend hours digging in the garden, you’re not alone. Many children are naturally drawn to the outdoors—and that beautiful instinct is worth nurturing.
At Milestones, we believe some of the best learning happens outside. When children spend time in nature and learn to care for animals and the environment, they develop empathy, confidence, and a lifelong love of the world around them.
And the best part? You don’t need a big backyard or any special equipment to make a difference. Here are a few simple, fun ways to support local wildlife and explore nature together as a family.
Homegrown Learning: 10 Easy Activities to Boost School Readiness
If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is ‘school ready’ — you’re not alone. Many parents feel a little unsure, especially if this is your first time navigating the journey from early learning into primary school. The good news? You’re probably doing more to prepare your child than you realise — and it all starts with simple, everyday play.
Dance Like Nobody’s Watching: How Movement Builds Confidence in Young Children
Have you ever watched your child break into a spontaneous wiggle mid-walk, or twirl across the kitchen like nobody’s watching? That joyful, free movement isn’t just adorable — it’s powerful.
At Milestones Early Learning, we know that dancing is more than just a fun activity. It’s a natural way for children to express themselves, build self-confidence, and connect with the world around them.
In honour of International Dance Day on 29 April, we’re celebrating all the wonderful ways movement supports children’s learning, creativity, and emotional wellbeing.
Start Your Own Little Garden at Home: Easy Ideas for Families
With Earth Day coming up on 22 April, there’s no better time to roll up your sleeves, dig into some dirt, and explore sustainability with your little one — right from your own home.
At Milestones Early Learning, we know that children develop a deep connection to nature when they’re given the time and space to explore it. Many of our centres offer opportunities for children to engage with veggie gardens, worm farms, and outdoor learning spaces — helping them understand where food comes from and how to care for living things.
And the best part? You don’t need a big backyard to start a little garden at home.
Little Bodies, Big Energy: Supporting Movement and Play at Every Age
Includes a Free Movement Moments Download! If you’ve ever watched your toddler sprint in circles for no reason or seen your preschooler jump, spin, and climb like they’re training for a circus – you’re not alone.
At Milestones Early Learning, we believe movement isn’t just something kids do to burn off energy – it’s how they learn, grow, and thrive. That’s why we’ve created a free Movement Moments download for parents – a handy printable you can stick on the fridge, filled with fun, low-prep activities to support your child’s development at home.
From first steps to full-speed sprints, every twist, tumble and wiggle is helping your child build confidence, coordination, and brainpower.
Easter Fun for the Whole Family: Nature-Inspired Activities to Try This Long Weekend
The Easter long weekend is a beautiful time to pause, play, and enjoy a few slow, meaningful moments together as a family. Whether your family celebrates Easter or simply welcomes the break, these simple, nature-based activity ideas are designed for families with young children to enjoy outdoors—no complicated prep, just good old-fashioned fun.
At Milestones Early Learning, we know that children under five learn best through play—especially when they’re playing alongside the people they love most.
Growing Hearts: Teaching Young Children the Joy of Kindness at Milestones Early Learning
At Milestones Early Learning, we believe that kindness is more than just good manners. In our centres throughout Australia, we create an environment where children learn to express kindness and empathy daily.—it’s the foundation for building strong friendships, developing emotional intelligence, and creating a sense of belonging. For young children, learning to be kind isn’t just about saying “please” and “thank you”; it’s about understanding emotions, practicing empathy, and building positive connections with others.
Research shows that social-emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood plays a crucial role in long-term success, both academically and socially. When children are taught kindness from a young age, they develop higher self-esteem, stronger friendships, and better emotional resilience. But how can we nurture this quality in our little ones? Let’s explore how we can teach young children the joy of kindness and make it a natural part of their everyday lives.
Sun Safety for Little Learners: How Milestones Early Learning Keeps Your Child Safe Under the Sun
Australia is renowned for its sunny weather, but with great sunshine comes great responsibility. Protecting young children from harmful UV rays is crucial to their health and well-being. At Milestones Early Learning, we’re committed to instilling lifelong sun safety habits in children while ensuring they enjoy outdoor play safely. Here’s a comprehensive look at sun safety, why it’s vital, and how we implement it at our centres.
The Best Educational Toys for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Choosing the right toys for your child can feel overwhelming. How do you find something that’s fun, engaging, and supports their development? At Milestones Early Learning, we’ve done the research for you.
Story Time Adventures: Our Favourite Children’s Books to Read Together
Story time is a magical way to bond with your child while helping them develop essential language and social skills. At Milestones Early Learning, we use story time as a fun and engaging tool to support children’s growth, aligned with the Lifelong Learning Curriculum. Reading together not only sparks their imagination but also boosts early literacy and cognitive development.
In this post, we’re sharing a list of our favourite children’s books that align with the learning themes we explore at our centres. Plus, we’ve added some simple tips to make story time more interactive, bringing each book to life with sound effects, props, and fun questions to keep your little one engaged.