Every year it happens. As Anzac Day approaches and the questions begin online…
“What can we do with the babies?”
“What activities should we set up?”
And I find myself wondering, what propels these questions to pop up each year? Have we stopped to think about what we are actually doing?
I know that we all have different perspectives on this, and as I’ve written many times, that okay, however thinking deeply and pausing for a moment is powerful. Anzac Day is not about filling a day with themed experiences. It is not about crafts, flags, or ticking a box to say we acknowledged something important. The question has to be simpler, and far more important - What do you want children to learn?
If we start there, many of the ideas we reach for begin to fall away. Because when we really think about it:
This does not mean we ignore Anzac Day. It means we approach it with thought and care as we should with all occasions we wish to integrate into a curriculum.
For our youngest children, it might be about:
- Relationships and belonging
- Feeling safe and secure
- Experiencing calm, respectful environments
For older children, it might be about:
- Talking gently about people helping others
- Exploring ideas of care, community, and kindness
- Listening to stories in ways that are meaningful and appropriate
- Perhaps even staff sharing stories of their families members who have served
Not everything needs to become a planned experience. Not everything needs to be “done. Sometimes the most respectful thing we can do is pause, reflect, and choose not to turn something into an activity.
So before you plan anything this Anzac Day, ask yourself:
- Does this experience honour the meaning of the day?
- Does it respect the age and understanding of the children?
- Does it actually support learning?
If the answer is no, then it is time to rethink. Because thoughtful practice will always matter more than busy practice.
