By Michael Hilkemeijer
When Emma first introduced ANZAC Day to her preschoolers, she wasn’t sure how they would respond. Would the concept of remembrance feel too abstract? Could four-year-olds really understand the meaning behind the poppy or the silence we hold? Then she downloaded the Digital Poppy Art lesson plan and everything changed.
As the children explored their tablets, digitally drawing red petals with simple swipes of their fingers, Emma listened to their thoughts:
“That flower is for a soldier.”
“This is like a hero flower.”
In that moment, Emma realised something powerful—children don’t need war stories to connect to ANZAC Day. They need symbols, stories, and opportunities to express meaning in their own way. And that’s exactly what the lesson plans in the ICT in Education Teacher Academy provide.
Why Explaining ANZAC Day to Preschoolers Matters
ANZAC Day holds deep cultural significance in Australia, and young children can begin to understand its values through developmentally appropriate approaches. As the ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee explains, this day isn't about glorifying war but about remembering courage, mateship, and community. When children participate in meaningful, symbolic activities, they begin to develop empathy and cultural identity.
But as noted by educators at Brisbane Kids, how we approach ANZAC Day in early learning settings must be sensitive, age-appropriate, and creative. The lesson plans in the ICT in Education Teacher Academy reflect this by using digital tools to foster creativity, communication, and understanding.
ANZAC Day Lesson Plans with a Difference
Here are two standout ANZAC Day ICT lesson plans that not only meet EYLF outcomes but also support educators in progressing along their professional growth journey using technology.
1. Digital Poppy Art
Activity Description:
Children use drawing apps on tablets or whiteboards to create a poppy. Younger children might colour a pre-made digital outline; older children can draw their own, exploring the symbolic meaning of the flower.
ICT Resources:
• Tablets or interactive whiteboards
• Drawing apps (e.g., Doodle Buddy, Paint 3D)
Learning Outcomes (EYLF):
• Expressing ideas using digital media (5.3)
• Responding to shared stories about ANZAC history (2.1)
Transformation Pathway:
This activity supports teachers in the Adoption to Adaptation stage of the Success Path. By using digital creativity tools with intentional learning goals, educators begin to plan differentiated and meaningful ICT activities.
Real Example:
A member shared in the community forum how their children presented their digital poppies in a class slideshow with recorded voice explanations. The member logged this in their workbook using the Creative ICT section and reflected on how it deepened children’s cultural understanding.
2. Virtual Tour of the Australian War Memorial
Activity Description:
Children explore the Australian War Memorial through a virtual tour. Educators pause key moments to explain exhibits using child-friendly language and images.
ICT Resources:
• Tablets or computer
• Google Earth or War Memorial website
• Optional: photo collage or drawing tools for reflection
Learning Outcomes (EYLF):
• Exploring historical places through digital tools (4.2)
• Understanding cultural heritage (2.1)
Transformation Pathway:
This lesson progresses educators to the Infusion Stage, especially when followed by a child-led reflection activity or presentation. It encourages inquiry-based learning using ICT, paired with intentional teaching strategies.
Real Example:
An educator who accessed this lesson via the Intentional Teaching in ECE workshop logged how children responded with curiosity and empathy during the tour. By uploading children’s digital reflections, they initiated a class-wide discussion that demonstrated meaningful ICT integration.
3. ANZAC Tales – Digital Storytelling
Activity Description:
Children use storytelling apps such as Book Creator or Puppet Pals to create a digital story around an ANZAC theme. They narrate and illustrate their story with their own voice recordings and digital drawings, making this a deeply personal and imaginative project.
ICT Resources:
• Tablets with a storytelling app
• Microphones for voice recording
Learning Outcomes (EYLF):
• Retell stories using digital tools (5.2)
• Use ICT for imaginative storytelling (4.4)
Transformation Pathway:
This lesson supports movement into the Adaption or Infusion stage of the Success Path. It enables educators to scaffold digital storytelling through intentional planning, encouraging rich communication and creative expression with technology.
Real Example:
A member used this lesson in conjunction with the Nurturing Creativity in Early Childhood Education with Technology workshop. She documented how each child created a unique “ANZAC hero” tale using drawn poppies and recorded voice-overs. The project became a digital storybook gallery, shared privately with families. Using her workbook, she tracked growth in TPK (Technological Pedagogical Knowledge) and added reflections to her Workshop & Resources Integration log.
What Makes These Lesson Plans Stand Out?
While many activities online simply ask children to make paper poppies or listen to a story, our ANZAC Day lesson plans go further:
• They integrate digital technology purposefully—not just for engagement, but for meaning-making.
• They include scaffolded steps for educators to reflect, document, and differentiate—using templates from the membership workbook.
• They are supported by community collaboration—members can ask, “How did you adapt this for non-verbal learners?” and receive real, practical responses.
• They are linked to a professional growth framework—helping educators move from following an idea to adapting it confidently and eventually designing their own.
Inside the membership, tools like the Wisdom Tool let you search "ANZAC Day symbolic art" and receive curated guidance and extensions with references. The Community Forum lets you post children’s work and reflect with other educators on how it impacted learning.
Why You Should Download Our ANZAC Day Lesson Plans Today
• They make explaining ANZAC Day to preschoolers developmentally appropriate through ICT-based creative expression.
• They guide you through real professional learning, not just one-off activities.
• They help you document your progress in alignment with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
• They encourage reflection, adaptation, and shared learning through the Teacher Academy’s community features.
Whether you're introducing the meaning of a poppy or guiding a virtual tour, these lesson plans provide structure and inspiration. Download one today and take your first step toward ICT transformation in early childhood education.
Ready to transform how you teach with technology?
Explore more ANZAC Day resources and begin your journey inside the ICT in Education Teacher Academy—where lesson plans become lasting impact.
$20 per month or $200 per year (2 months FREE)