create4me_ (2025)

10/07/2025

A little reminder for your Thursday night….

If a child’s play is making you a little twitchy… it might be time to “redirect”, not shut it down.

My little one has been obsessed with pulling and putting things in and out of containers lately, and while it’s tempting to just remove the item causing grief, there’s something bigger going on;
👉 a play schema in action!

This one? It’s often called enclosing or enveloping,
Your little one is not trying to “challenge you” they’re trying to understand and make sense of their world.

Instead of saying the same thing on repeat, try offering a simple cost effective activity like this:
📦 A cardboard box with a cut out slot + some wooden coins = happy hands, happy brain!

Respect the urge. Redirect the action. It’s seriously awesome to watch!

15/05/2025

Driving to kinder this morning, my 3-year old casually dropped: “I don’t want to play with girls at kinder, only boys because I am a boy.”

What the actual? 🤨

I’ve worked with 3/4 year olds for years and yeah I’ve seen this… but it still totally threw me. Especially since my son usually gravitates to girls, cousins, friends, and, ahh, me and his baby sister.

I stayed calm whilst I processed and said,
“Maybe just find people who like playing the same things as you and remember to always be kind.”

Then I did what I do best and reflected and researched. Here’s what I found. Maybe it’ll help you too.

What’s going on?
Around 3/ 4, kids start sorting the world including putting things and people into categories.
Gender becomes one of their first identity markers (categories)

•“I’m a boy”
•“He’s a boy”
•“We play the same!”

Some refer to this as identity building.

Why does it happen?

•Hearing it from someone else
•Linking toys/play or colours to gender
•One disagreement causes this new view

What we don’t need to do:

•Panic or worry
•Shame
•Force friendships

What we can do:

- Gently expand: “Remi (his sister) loves building too!”
-Focus on shared interests
-Model inclusive language & choices

I feel more prepared, hopefully you do too. 🥰

14/05/2025

How many times do you think the EYLF mentions “partnership with families”?
Once? Twice?

Try 50+ times. 🧐
Yep. It’s that central to what we do.

If partnership still feels like “just another thing” on your list, you’re not alone.
But what if it could actually make your days smoother?

My online workshop “Partnership with Parents (AKA Customer Service) breaks it all down and gives practical strategies.

•What families really want
•What the NQS actually expects
•And how to build trust in 2 minutes

Because real partnership isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing it differently and doing it well.
DM for access. Jem x

www.create4me.com.au

13/05/2025

How many times do you think the EYLF mentions “partnership with families”?
Once? Twice?

Try 50+ times. 🧐
Yep. It’s that central to what we do.

If partnership still feels like “just another thing” on your list, you’re not alone.
But what if it could actually make your days smoother?

My online workshop “Partnership with Parents (AKA Customer Service) breaks it all down and gives practical strategies.

•What families really want
•What the NQS actually expects
•And how to build trust in 2 minutes

Because real partnership isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing it differently and doing it well.
DM for access. Jem x

08/05/2025

We often think of “family involvement” as forms, surveys, or newsletters.
But what if it’s already happening, in those quick, casual convos at the door?

Like when I told my son’s teacher he’d been loving The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Just a passing comment. Nothing formal.
But the next day, there it was. A beautiful setup inspired by the story. His face lit up, and so did mine.

That moment?
Genuine partnership.
Child-centred programming.
Parent involvement made easy.

Those little chats? They’re you’re golden ticket.

What’s a parent comment that’s shaped your programming lately?

04/05/2025

Hey legends,
AKA early childhood educators, service managers, and ECT’s.

If you’re all about real, relatable tips & tricks that actually work in early childhood…
If you’re craving face-to-face PD that hits different (because it’s tailored + fun)…online options also available.

Then this is your sign to like, follow + tag your team right now!

Let’s make your professional development calendar feel easy, inspired and DONE.

Let’s chat PD:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.create4me.com.au
Insta & Facebook:

27/04/2025

BIG news (well hopefully big for some of you)

At least a couple of you will know that my main gig is delivering face-to-face workshops across regional Vic + Murray border towns.

BUT… I’m super stoked to announce that I’m officially launching my first ever online workshop!
Tried. Tested. Tweaked. Delivered a few times now and ready for YOU! 👏

It’s not about reinventing the wheel, it’s about making it smoother.
A simple, step-by-step, practical approach to unpacking and reflecting on your social, temporal and physical environments.

Even educators working in the sector for years have said, “Ohhh I never thought about it like that!”

If you wanna ditch the overwhelm and actually have a plan that really feels doable…
This is for you.

Current Pricing Options:
1 person: $39
5 people: $149 (save $46)
10 people: $299 (save $91)
20 people: $590 (save $190)

Want to know more or make a booking, Drop a ‘YES’ below or DM me!

You will even score an E.book!

•

27/04/2025

“Hi, Poo Poo Bum Head”, and why I didn’t shut it down….

My 3-year-old kindly greeted me on a very normal morning with, “Hi poo poo bum bum head.” I giggled and replied, “Hey poo poo bum.”
But then the following day he said it to my new manager.
I did not giggle. I actually felt a little embarrassed. It was time for the convo.

But first, toilet talk? So completely developmentally normal.
Around 3–4, children are often in the fun stage of testing language, discovering what gets giggles, especially out of grown-ups, and learning about social interactions and boundaries.

So, why does it bother some of us?
• Is it the word, the tone?
• Feels disrespectful?
• The environment?
• Or our own beliefs?
Cue… a perfect scenario for some critical reflection and coming up with a plan that everyone can be a part of.

My approach was to focus on how this greeting might make someone uncomfortable (like my manager could have been).

We walked away and I said, “I think it’s time we set some boundaries with limits.”
The limit – you can use those funny words with me, and we named some of his mates he likes to say it to.
The boundary – it’s not okay to say it to people we don’t know and other grown-ups as it may hurt their feelings.
We also decided to make it an “at home word.”

We had a big chat, asking and answering each other’s questions about who it was okay to say it with and who it was not okay to say it to. This encouraged him to be a part of the decision-making, aka buy-in.

My goal? To increase social awareness without shame.
We simply introduced a new boundary.

Sometimes what feels inappropriate to you might be completely normal for that child and their family at home.
Support your boundaries and limits by:
• Offering funny alternatives
• Using role play
• Partnering with families about home norms
• Calmly redirecting and reiterating when needed:
“Let’s save those words for home.”
“I wonder if we can find a different word to make him laugh.”

Because it’s not about shutting kids down, it’s about guiding them on when, how and where things fit.

And yep, still proudly “Poo Poo Bum Head Mum.”

13/04/2025

Perhaps it’s time to Pause, Reflect, and Rethink.

Another post where reflection is the tool for better outcomes for all.

Closed- ended play so often ends in frustration, power struggles, and tears. It may not even present as a closed ended resourxe but to the xhild it only has “one way- the right way” of being used.

When the play has a set outcome… quite often children end up in conflict.

Open-ended play, on the other hand, invites imagination, problem-solving, and flexible thinking. It’s in that space that real learning happens.

Recently, a friend shared this play date experience with me…..

Two four year olds were playing with a car racetrack. Within minutes, the arguments began.
- Whose turn it was, who had the red or best car, which side of the track belonged to who, and how exactly the track should be used.

😡Turn-taking didn’t help.
😡Swapping cars didn’t help.
The issue wasn’t really about sharing — it was about limited possibilities.

So the reflective adult nearby paused the play and simply asked:
“Is there another way you could play this, together?” And encouraged the children to have a short break.
They tried again and the conflict happned once more, his time over the sides of the track, but then… something shifted.

They were encouraged to step away again, they talked it through, and came back with an idea entirely their own.

The result? 45 minutes of engaged, cooperative, super fun play and the best part without further adult support.

Sometimes it’s not the children who need changing… it’s the play we offer them.

Thoughts? Save for your next critical reflection

05/04/2025

One photo that speaks a thousand words to me. I wonder if you hear them too.

Here’s what I see.

I see a Mother’s Day art experience, but more than that, I see a deeply thoughtful moment where children are celebrating, reflecting on, and sharing stories about their mums.

I see a provocation for families, an invitation to engage in a meaningful experience that connects home and the service.

I see children making connections, thoughtfully translating their ideas into drawings, constructing an image that represents their mum in their eyes. Awwww

I see something unique, expressive, and so full of heart.

I see something so much more than a colouring sheet. Makes me smile. This is children’s thinking, creativity, and relationships in action.

I see children engaging in meaningful creative expression.

I see a celebration of identity and belonging, where children share their knowledge of family and relationships (Outcome 1.1).

I see an experience that values children’s voices, inviting them to share who is important to them in their own way

I see an opportunity for family engagement, sparking conversations between children and their loved ones about what makes their mum special. Aren’t we always looking for ways to do this?

I see children using fine motor skills and problem-solving, selecting colours, lines, and shapes to represent their ideas

I see a gorgeous moment, where children feel a sense of pride in their work especially when their mums see their creations

I see a reminder that children’s artwork is a window into their world. Each piece is as unique as the mum

Have I missed anything? Do you love this too?

Thanks for inspiring us.

❤️

02/04/2025

It would be pretty rare to find an early childhood classroom without a dedicated arts and crafts space. Hopefully, it’s a thoughtfully set-up area, not an art trolley covered with a fitted sheet (IYKYK).🤔

The best moments in these spaces happen when we shift from “do it like this” to “how could you create…?” Suddenly, children are exploring, experimenting, and problem-solving in ways that go so far beyond the final product.

Offering open-ended materials, textured paper, natural objects, different paintbrushes gives children opportunities to develop identity, confidence, and communication skills.
As Easter is fast approaching, challenge your team to think outside the box. Feel free to share any ideas below 👇

And seriously , how good are water paints? We really need to get them out more often. Too fun (with no real mess is kind of a bonus in our house)

26/03/2025

I reflect on everything. Seriously. It’s actually quite exhausting for my little old brain.
The number of things I mentally unpack in a single day could fill a year's worth of staff meeting agendas.

Was my drop-off too quick or too long?

Did my boy eat enough to get him to morning tea?

Am I giving my first child more than my second?

Why is my playroom not Pinterest-worthy?

My son’s manners must mean I’m doing something right…

My daughter’s determination is going to be interesting to watch play out

How can I be more present this afternoon?

And that’s before I even finish my first coffee. 😳

We talk about critical reflection like it’s a post-mortem of our worst moments. But what if it was also about noticing the good stuff?

What made a child light up today?
What did I do that made my job easier?
What moment felt right? Felt easier and why?

Reflection isn’t about fixing—it’s about growing. And I’ve had a bit of an epiphany… probably a hundred years too late but hey what the hell.

What comes naturally to me—reflection, noticing, tweaking—doesn’t always feel easy for everyone. So I’m going to be doing a lot more in this space. Expect heaps of practical tips to make reflection feel useful, not overwhelming.

If you want more of this- let me know!

create4me_

10/07/2025

15/05/2025

14/05/2025

13/05/2025

08/05/2025

04/05/2025

27/04/2025

27/04/2025

13/04/2025

05/04/2025

02/04/2025

26/03/2025

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