Wing It! A Children’s Atelier for Hatchlings of Change
Shannon Tozzi and Leonie Caggiano
11 November 2026
Day + Time |
Location | The Learning Nest Co., Reed Street North, Greenway ACT 2900
Entry | Free |
Access | template, template, template
Wing It! Is an immersive children’s atelier that celebrates creativity as an act of dissent. Designed for young ‘hatchlings’ ready to test boundaries and reimagine possibilities, this workshop invites children to experiment with UV paint, recycled car parts, splatter tools, loose construction materials, light, motion and sound in a dynamic, open-ended studio.
Rooted in atelier pedagogy, Wing It! rejects adult-led craft activities and instead views children as capable makers whose ideas, questions and instincts drive the experience. In alignment with the Festival theme of Dissent, this workshop embraces children’s natural inclination to push, test, question, break apart, rebuild and transform materials – acts that sit at the heart of innovation and change. Here, dissent becomes a powerful, accepted form for expression. The workshop structure features multiple interactive stations, all self-paced:
UV Zone: glow paint, light exploration, shadow play
Splatter Space: motion-based painting using unconventional tools
Construction Corner: car parts, connectors, tubes, pallets and loose parts for building, experimenting and inventing
Clay table: clay and loose materials, ready for creating
Children are free to move between stations, collaborate and test ideas as they follow their own creative pathway. Our facilitators act as co-researchers, documenting thinking, provoking deeper exploration and ensuring safe tool use while maintaining the integrity of child-led inquiry. This workshop is presented by the co-founders of the Learning Nest Co.
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Leonie Caggiano is an early childhood specialist with extensive experience in creating learning environments that inspire collaboration and deep thinking. With a strong foundation in child development, she is known for helping educators translate big ideas into practical, engaging experiences for children of all ages. Her work centres on the belief that every child is a capable, creative learner and that thoughtfully designed spaces can transform how children experiment and express themselves. As co-founder of The Learning Nest Co. she leads the development of atelier-inspired programs and professional learning sessions for educators across Canberra. Leonie brings warmth, clarity and a practical lens to her teaching, supporting educators to break away from traditional models and embrace approaches that honour children’s agency and individuality. She is passionate about interdisciplinary learning, sensory-rich environments and empowering teachers to see themselves as co-researchers alongside the children they work with.
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Shannon Tozzi is an experienced educator with over 15 years working across early childhood and primary settings in Australia. With a background in play and inquiry-based learning, she specialises in helping educators create meaningful, intentional spaces that promote children’s voice and creativity. Shannon is co-founder of the Learning Nest Co., a children’s atelier in Canberra that blends contemporary educational theory with hands-on community-centred practice. Her work is grounded in the belief that children learn best when they can inquire, explore, construct and express complex ideas through multiple forms of representation. Shannon supports early learning services to integrate atelier-inspired approaches to their daily practice, offering mentoring and curriculum design support. Passionate, practical and deeply reflective, she empowers educators to move beyond traditional models and embrace environments that truly amplify children's voices.
Images | Children’s atelier, 2025 | Photos by Shannon Tozzi