Perspectives of the Child Project

Under the auspice of the “Perspectives of Children in the City” project the views and aspirations of a wide range of young people from across Mount Gambier were gathered.

These views were delivered in a series of presentations to Professor Carla Rinaldi by early childhood leaders from kindergartens, childcare centres, preschools, children’s centres and OSHC who had sought the views of young people on a range of questions that included:

• What are the places you like to visit with your friends and family?
• Where do you like to play and why?
• What makes your place special?
• Where don’t you like to go and why?
• What do you think would make Mount Gambier even better?

The presentations reflected the thoughts, ideas and understandings of the children in their own words and drawings. Take a look at what Mount Gambier's children have told us here.

Outcomes from “Perspectives of Children in the City”:

• Council recognises early childhood learning and development as fundamentally important
• Council acknowledges that the experts on childhood are the children themselves
• Play settings which reconnect children to nature also encourage children to problem solve, think creatively and develop their own growth and knowledge (moved)

As part of the “Perspectives” project we sought to understand the way children view their own City. We asked them to tell us and to show us. By doing this, we’ve already learned that:

• Not every child in Mount Gambier knows the name of the City they live in
• Mount Gambier children like places that allow them to explore their imagination, seek adventure, nature and height.

 These outcomes were particularly illuminating, and will support the future directions of Council.