Mums and Mother's Day

Mums

Mothers are central to children's being. Early childhood professionals can help strengthen the mother-child bond, even when children are in childcare.

The Interest Forest recognises that Australian families are complex. This page is for parents who identify as mums. Our parents and carers page is for special grown-ups, including those that don't consider themselves to be either a mum or dad.

Learning about mums links with the Early Years Learning Framework. This topic helps children connect with people (4.4), become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing (3.1), and feel safe, secure and supported (1.1).

How to celebrate Mothers Day in childcare

Some early childhood educators feel pressured to make Mothers Day gifts, which can be time consuming, expensive, and involve out-of-hours unpaid work. Also, some childcare centres choose not to celebrate Mothers Day out of respect for diverse families.

Read our suggestions for ways to celebrate Mothers Day with simplicity and authenticity.

Host a high tea

A common theme for Mothers Day is indulging women who nurture and care for others. You can host a high tea during your normal afternoon tea or lunch.

Send pretty invitations made by the children.
Decorate using tablecloths and flowers.
Offer dainty sweet treats and sandwiches (remember to cut the crusts off!).
Offer iced tea (because it is safer than hot tea) and sparkling water for fun.
Play elegant background music.
Encourage children to serve their own mothers.

To keep things even more simple, set up a high tea area in your playroom or foyer. Decorate a table, add children's dress ups, and a pretend tea set. Encourage mums to sit and play tea parties with their children at drop off and pick up.

Play with flowers

Pick flowers from your garden, ask a florist to donate unwanted flowers, or use fake flowers. Set up a play space with baskets, vases, ribbons and other pretty objects. Let the children play and create their own floral artworks. Take a photo and send it to mum!

Set up a making table

Set up a table for children to make things with their mums at the beginning and end of the day. The most precious gift you can give a parent and child is meaningful time together.

This experience works really well for busy working mothers and low-income families. Many mums do not make things with their children at home because they don't have time, confidence or materials.

Empower children with choice

Set up a card and gift-making area in your room, several weeks before Mothers Day. Discuss Mothers Day as a group and explain that children can make something for their mums (or another special person), if they want to. Be there to support children in writing messages, researching ideas, and accessing resources.

Help children connect with their mums

Support breastfeeding

Mothers may want to continue breastfeeding when their children start childcare, but are unsure if it is practical. Talk with mothers when they tour your centre so they can plan ahead. Let them know you are supportive of breastfeeding.

Read the Encouraging & Supporting Breastfeeding in Childcare Resource Kit (PDF) from NSW Health.

Avoid assumptions

Motherhood is different for all women. Some new mums experience postnatal depression while others are genuinely confident and joyful. Some mothers return to work because they want a break from their children; others feel pressure to work and are traumatised by leaving their children in care.

Non-working women can enrol their children in full-time childcare for legitimate reasons. They don't necessarily spend their weeks drinking champagne and having pedicures. They may have health concerns, be a carer for an elderly parent, be starting a business, or studying. Or she may simply want high-quality education and socialisation for her children.

Avoid categorising mothers and making assumptions about their situation. Listen to the ways you can support each mother as a unique individual.

Involve mothers in play

Create a welcoming environment that encourages mothers (and all parents) to stay and play with their children.

Add adult-sized seating into your play areas and quiet spaces where families can read books together.
Show mums what their children have enjoyed playing with and the learning benefits. Offer ideas for ways the mums can continue this learning at home.
Invite mums to join in group time, a game, or a meal if they are present during this time.

Learning experiences

Set up a role play area so children can pretend to be mums. It may look a little like a home corner, with baby dolls, women's clothing and household items, but also add props that challenge stereotypes (e.g. business shirts, hi-vis tops, a tool set, and doctors equipment).

Let your children direct their own play, but be present. Talk about their own mothers and challenge biased statements (e.g. "mums aren't doctors"). Help your children add in props that represent their own mothers and grandmothers.

Events

In Australia, Mothers Day is the second Sunday of May
1st June is Global Day of Parents

Discussions

Talk to children about mothers in general. What is a mum? What do mums do? Can anyone be a mum? What do mums look like? Read our topic about babies, pregnancy and birth.

Talk about children's mums. What do you love about your mum? What is something your mum is really good at? How would you describe your mum?

Reflections

How can you help your children build better relationships with their mothers?
How can you support mothers who work fulltime? How can you help them have better shared experiences with their children?
When exploring the topic of mothers, are you respecting children who don't have a mum?
Do you genuinely respect different approaches to child raising?