Thirty seven years teaching and supporting young children

About Miss Lisa

I believe that every child is a unique and capable learner who should have opportunities to discover joy through the power of play.

Miss Lisa holding a well-loved golden teddy bear in wire-rimmed glasses

How it started

It's said that a lady never gives away her age. However, in the year I was born The Beatles had a chart-topping hit with Can't Buy Me Love and Walt Disney released the original classic film Mary Poppins starring Julie Andrews. These clues will give you some idea of my vintage!

I am Miss Lisa, an Early Childhood Teacher with thirty-seven years of experience in Australia, England, and South Africa. After many happy years in the classroom, osteoarthritis has prevented me from face-to-face teaching. I began to think about other ways I could continue to share my knowledge and expertise in supporting our youngest learners.

So, I decided to create my YouTube channel Miss Lisa and Friends.

You may give your children your love, but not your thoughts. For they have their own thoughts.

— Kahlil Gibran, 1883 — 1931

Miss Lisa reading a book on early childhood development at a table set for tea

What guides the work

I could quickly tell you what I do and how I do it. However, I would rather tell you why I do it.

Current research proves that young children learn through music, singing, stories, repetition, rhythm and rhyme. That said, the crucial element is FUN and for a teacher to foster a love of learning. With my Friends, this is what I aim to do.

During an episode of Miss Lisa and Friends your children may join in and connect with the characters while learning about social skills like kindness and empathy. Together we will learn about the natural world and explore scientific concepts like capillary action and displacement. Some episodes will include an outside adventure with Gertie or Wanda. As we explore language, I will incorporate some Australian Key Word Sign to support your children's understanding and teach them about diverse ways to communicate.

Learning Theories

Various theories of learning underpin my teaching. Here are a few of them:
Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences (1983)
Lev Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory (1924) and the Zone of Proximal Development (1934)
Jerome Bruner's LASS: The Language Acquisition Support System (1960)

Meet the Friends

The ones who turn up for every story, every song, and most of the mischief.

Bruce

Bruce is our energetic and enthusiastic Aussie mate. He is very bouncy and sporty but can sometimes be clumsy and a bit of a larrikin.

He is developing his social skills and the Friends always support him. Bruce would like to learn to play the ukulele.

Edward Bear

Edward Bear is our old and wise friend. He travelled from England to Australia on the MV Port Launceston inside a dark trunk with Stone Cat.

He is sensible, safety conscious and likes to mentor the Friends. Edward Bear would like to learn to play the harmonica.

Kenny Koala

Kenny is our curious, talkative and very energetic marsupial Friend. He is great at climbing and is often looking for his boomerang.

He is a creative artist with a very busy mind and has lots of good ideas. He would like to learn to play his new blue tin kazoo.

Mei Mei

Mei Mei is our gentle, kind and shy Friend from China. She writes song lyrics and sings them in her soft, sweet voice.

She loves bamboo and sometimes loses her comforter which the Friends help her to find. Mei Mei would like to learn to play the xylophone.

Molly

Molly is our adorable and affectionate Labradoodle puppy. She is exuberant and likes to play hide-and-seek.

She asks lots of questions like "Why?", "When? and "Are we there yet?" When we want to find Molly, we can follow her four golden footprints.

Mr Cloud

Mr Cloud is our resident 'weatherman' and is always convinced that it is going to rain. He shows us the weather outside through the magic screen window.

He encourages everyone to think about what they may need to go outside and gets excited when there are clouds. He likes to be invited to sing along with songs.

Stanley

Stanley the kookaburra is our clever and persistent feathered Friend. He is a scientist with an enquiring mind and critical thinking skills.

He loves experiments and invites everyone to solve problems and test out their theories. When he is successful or makes a discovery, he calls out "Eurekakakaka!"

Twitch

Twitch is our musical Friend who used to be in a Rock Band called 'The Rocking Rabbits'. She is confident, independent and loves to play her electric guitar.

She is keen to teach the Friends about music, rhythm and tempo. She is patient and encourages everyone to "have a go!"

Wendy Wombat

Wendy Wombat is our inquisitive 'book worm' who loves to read and has a wonderful imagination. She likes to dig burrows and is not too keen on change.

She would like to travel the world but is rather nervous about leaving home. So. she uses her imagination to make-believe that she is in other countries. Wendy is learning to play the Djembe Drum.