Early Childhood Education Students Gain Hands-On Experience with Simulation Babies
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
At Wodonga TAFE, Part of Northern Victorian Institute of TAFE we are dedicated to ensuring our students have access to the latest technology and training to support their learning and industry experience. A wonderful example of this, is our investment in Realityworks simulation babies used for training purposes within our Early Childhood Education and Care courses.
The lifelike training dolls are designed to mimic the needs and behaviours of real infants, giving students valuable practical experience while they continue their studies. While continuing with their normal studies, students are responsible for caring for the babies, responding to their needs and ensuring they remain settled and happy.
One of the students, Ava, explained that the simulation babies are helping the class develop essential skills needed when working with infants in an early childhood setting. The babies are fitted with sensors that alert students when they require attention.
“You've got to figure out if they need to be fed, or they need a nappy change or if they just simply need to be cuddled,” she said. “It does get a lot easier, the more you do it.”
The initiative provides students with an opportunity to practise techniques that are critical when caring for young children, including safely holding, carrying and handing babies to others.
“Having these babies is teaching us the proper way to do everything for when we get into an actual centre and have to look after real babies,” Ava explained. “So we know how to hold the head right and how to pick them up and how to put them down or hand them over to someone.”
The simulation babies also help bridge the gap between classroom learning and placement experiences. While students gain practical exposure through Wodonga TAFE’s Kids on Campus Early Learning Centre, opportunities to work directly with infants can be limited.
“It's very helpful being able to have this experience with them because if we are in Kids on Campus, there's only one baby room and it's usually only one educator allowed in that room from our class. So, it is handy having these babies because then we can have extra practice”
Like caring for real babies, the simulations can sometimes test students’ patience and problem-solving skills.
“Sometimes you try everything and it doesn't work. You just have to keep going over things until it stops crying. Sometimes, all they need is just to be held.”
Investing in technology like these Realityworks babies reflects Northern Victorian Institute of TAFE’s commitment to enhancing the student training experience. By combining classroom learning with hands-on practice, we’re helping students build the skills and confidence they need to feel prepared for the early childhood workforce.
Learn more about Early Childhood Education and Care courses here.