Babies and pregnancy

Children may show interest in babies when they become toddlers and outgrow the infant years themselves. They may be curious about who babies are and what they do. Preschoolers may want to be responsible for babies by caring for and playing with them.

Babies can be a deeply emotional subject, both exciting and scary, for children expecting a new sibling.

Early childhood educators can teach children about babies and how babies are born. When our team at The Interest Forest started researching this topic, we were surprised to learn that several childcare centres have successfully completed long-term projects about babies.

The subject has its obvious challenges, but it is also incredibly beautiful. Like adults, many children love babies!

Learning experiences

Start a project about babies

Children's Campus (St. Ambrose University, USA) completed a project about babies, as the preschoolers showed an intense interest.

Their teacher writes: "I talked with parents and invited them to express any concerns that they might have with the sensitivity of the topic. When any of them had a question, I walked them through what I was planning to do. The main concern that parents expressed regarded terminology. They wanted to be sure that I planned to use child-friendly vocabulary."

The project started by gathering and documenting children's existing knowledge. They set up a "word wall" with words associated with babies and made a long list of questions.

The children investigated various baby accessories (e.g. prams, bassinets, bottles) to learn more about them. They even made their own. An educator brought in a rocker but didn't tell the children what it was, so they could work it out themselves.

A book was read about the stages of fetal development and children drew pictures. The children used Google to research information.

Penola Casa in Queensland conducted a similar project about babies. The children researched and contributed their own insights, expressed their thoughts through drawings, and made a paper mache belly.

They reflected on questions like “can both girls and boys have babies?” and “what does it mean to be a mum?”

Family and community connections

Spend time with babies

Arrange for older children to spend time in the babies room or invite parents to visit your room with their infant, to show the baby and answer the children's questions.

Teach the children etiquette and safe interactions beforehand.

Hatch chickens

Participate in a chicken-hatching program that brings an incubator to your service. Children can see fertilised eggs hatch over a two-week period and experience the joy of newborn baby chicks.

Hatch chickens

Participate in a chicken-hatching program that brings an incubator to your service. Children can see fertilised eggs hatch over a two-week period and experience the joy of newborn baby chicks.