Superheros and supervillains relate to mythical creatures, storytelling and popular culture. They help children explore complex topics like strength, power, pride, fairness and resilience.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) supports learning about superheroes as they promote curiosity, confidence and imagination (4.1). They teach fairness (2.3) and can strengthen children's emotional wellbeing (3.1).
Learning experiences
- Make superhero masks, capes and costumes from sheets of fabric or sticky taping pieces of paper together.
- Draw a superhero, either your favourite character or imagine a new one. Look at comic strips and draw your own. Watch a video about comics by State Government of Victoria.
- Build hero hideouts out of cardboard boxes.
- Play superhero role-play games, but set boundaries for children to follow regarding the use of power and physical force. Talk about respect. What happens if someone doesn't want to join in?
- Play a game. Children take turns saying the name of an imaginary superhero (e.g. "rainbow cupcake girl").
Discussions
- Who are they?
- What do they do?
- Why are they so special?
- Can anyone be a superhero?
Resources
Websites
Curious Kids: Could someone become a superhero in real life?
Music
Teeny Tiny Stevies: Superpower