Torrensville Community Childcare Centre ditches ban on superhero and princess costumes from Book Week

An Adelaide childcare centre had told parents it was banning “superheroes and princesses” from this year’s Book Week costume parade – until it backtracked.

A childcare centre in Adelaide’s western suburbs has been forced to backtrack after correspondence was sent to parents banning “princess and superhero” costumes during Book Week.

Established in 1945 by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Book Week is a chance for schools to celebrate all things literary – culminating in the highly-anticipated costume parade.

Parents are encouraged to create outfits featuring their children’s favourite book characters.

But The Advertiser understands Torrensville Community Childcare Centre, a social enterprise of Uniting Care Wesley Bowden, asked parents not to dress their children as superheroes or princesses for next week’s celebrations.

Parents were told children wearing those costumes would be removed because they might “negatively impact social play”.

But the childcare centre has since backtracked from those guidelines, saying they had “not been approved” before they were sent to parents.

A Uniting Care Wesley Bowden spokeswoman said the publication had since been amended and redistributed.

The revised information instead encouraged parents to celebrate this year’s theme, ‘dreaming with eyes open’, and choose a costume reflective of a book character.

“We would like to encourage children and families to plan their dress up and advise that we do not expect you to purchase a premade costume,” the revised information read.

Torrensville Community Childcare Centre backtracked after banning “superheroes and princesses” from this year’s Book Week costume parade.

“If at all possible, we would love to see a creation that you and your child have made together.

“We would prefer a costume reflective of a book character in keeping with the theme of Book Week. Choose a favourite story and get creative!”

The Advertiser understands superhero costumes have been banned in past years at other schools and childcare centres across the state.

Flinders University early childhood lecturer Rachael Hedger said there was always “a risk” that costumes could encourage children to act out what adults are portraying in movies, including violent acts.

However, she said role play was important for children’s development and would likely occur “costume or no costume”.

“Children need those early play opportunities,” Ms Hedger said.

“When they’re playing make-believe, they’re developing their thinking skills and having to explain that creativity to others, which encourages language.

“What they really need are educators who understand why children are doing that and what they can do to foster different approaches, or redirect that play into scenarios such as describing or drawing their characters.”

Ms Hedger said parents often felt pressured to create the brightest, most creative costumes for Book Week – but there were ways to have fun without breaking the bank.

“The themes themselves are so broad they support a wide range of options for families,” she said.

“There always is some disconnect between what children want to wear and what parents can provide.

“But at the end of the day, all children end up going to Book Week and enjoying wearing something different.”

Looking for some inspiration? Here are some of the best Book Week costumes from around Adelaide in years past.