ECEC in Focus: Aspire Cranbourne North brings Little Red Riding Hood to life

At Aspire Cranbourne North were filled with excitement, laughter and a touch of theatrical magic as educators surprised children and families with a live performance of Little Red Riding Hood.

Instead of the usual storytime, children entered Aspire’s Theatre to find colourful costumes, expressive characters and a stage set for adventure. From the moment Little Red stepped into the forest, the audience was captivated.

The cast featuring a curious and brave Little Red, a cheeky, scene-stealing wolf, and a grandmother with perfect comedic timing brought the story to life with humour, big expressions and plenty of audience interaction.

More than just a performance

This was no passive experience. Children gasped at the wolf’s surprise appearance, laughed at the playful antics, and eagerly joined in when the characters called for help. The live format pulled them into the heart of the story, sparking curiosity and participation.

Behind the fun was rich learning, too. Storytelling through performance supports children to:

• Understand narrative structure and sequencing
• Expand their vocabulary
• Build active listening skills
• Use imagination to predict what happens next

Lasting impact beyond the curtain call

When the final scene ended, the room was abuzz. Children shared their favourite moments  from the wolf’s dramatic reveal to Little Red’s clever problem-solving. Many began acting out their own versions of the tale, while others drew their favourite characters.

These moments of creativity continued well after the performance, demonstrating how immersive storytelling can inspire ongoing play, discussion and learning.

Celebrating creativity at Aspire

Aspire Cranbourne North’s educators are committed to turning stories into real-life adventures, whether through reading, craft or interactive performance.

“We love giving children experiences that make learning exciting and memorable,” said the centre team. “Bringing a book to life in this way is a wonderful way to connect imagination, language and joy.”

A big thank you goes to the talented educators for stepping into character and to the children for being the most enthusiastic audience any storyteller could ask for and to many more magical storytelling moments at Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten.