25 Princes Highway, Norlane VIC 3214
(03) 5222 8135
contact@montessoriminds.com.au 
Mon-Fri: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
How the mural began: one moment of play
As shared in the feature, “The journey began, as many powerful learning stories do, with play.” – LINK
Child-led learning in action
The Montessori Messenger piece highlights how the mural was driven by children’s voice and agency. Children chose the
sea theme, selected the animals to include, and kept shaping the creative direction as more caps arrived.
It also connected beautifully to Montessori principles through hands-on, sensorial exploration: children handled caps,
felt textures, sorted by colour and size, built patterns, and worked together to plan and problem-solve.
These are the kinds of learning experiences that build concentration, coordination, collaboration, and confidence—naturally.
From sustainability concept to sustainability cause
One child’s comment became a turning point: “We need more blue. Ask your mum to buy the milk with blue caps!”
Suddenly, sustainability wasn’t an abstract idea—it became something children championed with real purpose.
This matters for families choosing a childcare and kindergarten: it’s not just about what children are told—it’s about
what they experience, practise, and lead. When children feel ownership, the learning sticks.
A whole-community effort (and a whole lot of bottle caps)
Collecting more than 1,500 bottle caps—often in very specific colours—became a community-wide effort.
Families collected at home, grandparents and neighbours joined in, café owners set caps aside, and even the local Rotary
Club contributed hundreds and helped spread the word.
As the feature notes: “We were overwhelmed – and deeply moved – by the response.”
Then came the careful work: caps were washed, sorted, mapped into design drafts, and individually fixed to the wall.
Over weekends, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to bring the children’s vision to life—creating what the article calls a
“genuine labour of love.”
What children learned (and what families noticed at home)
The Montessori Messenger article shares that children checked progress daily, offered ideas, and proudly pointed out
their own contributions: “That’s my red cap!”
It’s a vivid example of children becoming confident learners, communicators, and active contributors—learning through a
real, meaningful project rather than a “structured lesson.”
Families even reported a ripple effect at home: children sparked dinnertime conversations about recycling, created cap
collecting stations, and began suggesting other ways to reuse materials.
The mural didn’t just reshape a wall—it helped reshape mindsets.
The feature also reminds us of something powerful: children don’t need expensive tools to do extraordinary things—they
need opportunities, experiences, and a cause to believe in.
A daily ritual of joy
Now, the mural has become part of everyday life at Montessori Minds. Children stop by the wall each morning—pointing
out favourite sea animals, tracing wave patterns, and even trying to count the caps again.
For many, it’s a source of pride and inspiration, and a reminder that “we can make a difference—no matter how small we
are.”
Looking ahead: what’s next for Montessori Minds?
The Montessori Messenger story shares that this project has planted “more than just the seed of sustainability” and has
shown what happens when young children are heard and supported.
Already, ideas are swirling—perhaps a vertical garden, or a sculpture made from reused materials.
The feature closes with a message we love: “From little caps, big things grow.”
Considering Montessori Minds for your child?
If you’re a current family—thank you for being part of a community that shows children what’s possible when we work
together. And if you’re exploring childcare and kindergarten options, we’d love to show you around and share what
makes Montessori Minds special: child-led learning, purposeful experiences, and a warm community that genuinely
supports children’s growth.
Ready to learn more? Book a tour or enquire about enrolments today.
Previous Post