WHEN CHILDREN ENTER THE LOOKING GLASS LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT EACH OF THE LITTLE BEACONS CENTRES AT BEACONHILLS COLLEGE, THEY KNOW IT IS A PLACE OF CALM.

While Looking Glass Learning – which supports children with individual or additional needs – has long been part of the Little Beacons philosophy, this year the program has expanded with the addition of dedicated spaces at Berwick and Pakenham campuses.

Rather than just a temporary breakout space for those identified children needing support, each space is part of the enhanced program that takes a more holistic approach to each child’s development.

All children from the Discovery groups (ages three to five) visit Looking Glass Learning during the week, and this term the younger groups will also join the program for weekly visits.

“From an inclusion perspective, if it’s good for one child, then it is good for every child,” said Donna Eyles, Little Beacons Head of Teaching and Learning. “It focuses on the whole group, not just identified children.”

Donna, along with Individual Programs co-ordinators Deepti Barri and Jessica Appel, are already seeing the benefits, not just for the children, but in supporting educators in their teaching practice.

When children visit Looking Glass, they take off their shoes (as do their teachers) and then take a moment for some calm breathing exercises. The spaces are quiet and softly lit to avoid overstimulation.

Depending on their individual needs, children might work on social skills such as listening and sharing, or taking part in storytelling, arts and crafts, role-play and movement skills.

Little Beacons uses the Zones of Regulation, a cognitive behaviour approach, to help children consciously regulate their emotions and actions. Children learn to recognise their emotions by identifying which ‘zone’ they are in, represented by four different colours.

Ms Eyles said the program was about attuning to children, so they understand that the Looking Glass Learning is a safe place, and so that educators could meet each child’s needs, “no matter

Visit www.beaconhills.vic.edu.au where they are at in their development”.