Thrive Early Learning unveils Australian-first immersive experience for pre-schoolers 

A leading childcare provider is embarking on a groundbreaking innovation in early childhood education, offering an Australian first purpose-built immersive experience to enhance the learning journey of pre-schoolers.  

Thrive Early Learning has been working with Australian technology company Axiom to create Wonder World, a travelling hologram excursion on wheels to create a bespoke, engaging and dynamic environment that supports cross-disciplinary learning for young children.  

“It’s about adding that extra dimension to learning to give children the chance to go beneath the waves into the deep blue sea and see whales and coral eco-systems up close, or be side by side with African animals like a rhino or elephant, explore a rainforest canopy or go back in time to walk with a life size dinosaur,” said Thrive Early Learning General Manager Craig Talberg.  

“It allows children to explore concepts in science, art and history in a way that traditional teaching methods cannot match,” said Mr Talberg. 

“We wanted to offer another level of depth to our learning opportunities and Wonder World allows children to explore concepts in a non-traditional way,’’ Mr Talberg said. 

“Using stereoscopic glasses, similar to the fun 3D or VR glasses you might see at the movies, the Wonder World immersive excursions will give children a chance to ‘travel’ to distant places, explore diverse cultures, and learn about different ecosystems and historical moments experiences that would otherwise be impossible for many of our children to access. 

“The three-dimensional visuals will allow them to interact with complex ideas, making abstract concepts more accessible and tangible,” Mr Talberg said. 

Thrive Early Learning Head of Education and Quality, Natasha Stabler, a dedicated early educator for 30 years, said the different immersions will work hand in hand with the pre-school curriculum.  

“Immersive holograms can captivate children’s attention, stimulate curiosity, and encourage exploration, all of which are vital for active learning,” Ms Stabler said. 

“Technology is part of our early years framework and this experience will complement our inquiry based learning and enhance the research and wondering component of the curriculum. 

“It’s about encouraging deeper inquiry and critical thinking but it also introduces children to diverse cultures, environments, and global perspectives, enhancing their understanding of the world and promoting empathy. 

“If children are learning about Australian animals and their habitats they will be able to physically explore it up close and then go back with more questions to deepen that learning and understanding,” Ms Stabler said.  

The Wonder World hologram-equipped bus will travel to Thrive Early Learning Centres across New South Wales and Victoria, bringing individual three-minute interactive walk-throughs and offering a hands-on, immersion bringing abstract concepts to life. 

About Thrive Early Learning  

Thrive Early Learning is family owned with a focus on nurturing and caring for children. Centres are built on a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience by both educators and management with centres in both NSW and Victoria.