Democracy
is learned. It starts at four.
The skills that hold democracy together aren't taught in high school. They're formed in early childhood. We build the lesson plans, resources, training and guides that help early childhood centres and educators teach them.
The problem we're solving
25%
of Australians trust government
22%
trust political parties
42%
rarely participate in community
Four skills, built through play.
Between ages 4 and 6, during a brief neurological window when the brain is uniquely receptive to social and emotional learning, children develop the dispositions that shape civic life. Most civic education doesn't begin until adolescence. By then, the dispositions are already set.
Empathy
Feeling with, not just feeling sorry for
Children learn to notice when someone is sad without being told, offer comfort unprompted, and use curiosity rather than shame when someone is hurt. Empathy is the seed of every civic act.
Navigating Difference
Our community is richer because we're not the same
Children notice difference without assigning better or worse, ask genuine questions about unfamiliar practices, and defend a friend treated unfairly. Early experiences of difference framed positively build pluralism.
Long-term Thinking
Small actions now, big ripples later
Democratic decisions ripple far into the future. We help children notice that choices have consequences for people who aren't in the room yet — through gardens, letters to future selves, and consequence chains.
Cooperation
Building what neither could alone
Every democratic institution depends on cooperation. Ages 4–6 is the critical window when children move from parallel play to genuinely collaborative play. We help them experience the pleasure of shared success.
How the program runs
A series of mini workshops within regular childcare, kindergarten, or prep sessions. Workshops run for 20–30 minutes and are designed to fit naturally into the rhythm of an existing day. You don't need to be a democracy expert to deliver this program — you need to be curious, present, and willing to slow down.
- Opening song to gather the group and set the emotional tone
- Hands-on, play-based activity introducing the workshop theme
- Picture book read-aloud with facilitated discussion
- A second activity to deepen or extend the theme
- Closing song that sends children off with warmth
Grounded in the EYLF V2.0
Children's Council workshops directly support Australia's national early childhood curriculum — giving educators structured, documented evidence of children's civic voice in action across Outcomes 1, 2, and 5.
Bring the program to your setting.
Whether you run a childcare centre, kindergarten, or community organisation — we'd love to hear from you.