WE LOVE A MOTHER Meet Chevon Semmens, Perth mama of two and owner of Little Land in Balcatta. As a little girl Chevon dreamed of working with children one day and after becoming a mum in 2016 she started to dream bigger for her family - looking to create the ‘perfect job’ to suit her new-found priorities as a mum. In early 2017 she came across a unique play concept offering role-play for children within a child-sized world, and two years later Little Land was born. Little Land is Perth’s most unique play space that offers a scaled down version of the real world inspiring your child to learn.
First of all, we’d love to hear about your little family…
What is the education value of play at Little Land?
We have two energetic boys - Zack is five and half and about to start full time school, and my youngest Archer is three years old. Both very busy boys who love riding bikes and dressing up as superheroes!
Role-play is an important part of child development and a way for children to make sense of the world around them. Role-play builds confidence and creativity and enhances social skills, physical development and problem solving skills. It supports the development of language, communication and self-regulation skills.
My husband Kayne and I met in 2007, after he moved to Perth from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, and we’ve been married for seven years. Fun fact: he’s the clever designer and main builder of the Little Land town!
What were you doing work-wise before you created Little Land?
In our town, shopping role-play reinforces the idea of responsibility while also improving children’s communication and negotiation skills. Role-play in a doctor’s surgery environment helps little ones become familiar with medical items in a non-threatening setting.
My background is in advertising, strategic marketing and brand development. In my 10 year career I worked for an advertising agency, marketing consultancy firm, completed a number of freelance research projects and also worked across State Government Departments.
Our Busy Beans café provides hours of openended, imaginative play encouraging fine motor skills required to pour coffee, make a smoothie or toast a sandwich. Social and language skills are developed while placing an order and using the menu full of pictures, words, and numbers.
I’ve always loved working with children, engaging with them while they play and learn, and spent more than 10 years volunteering with Radio Lollipop at Perth’s Children’s Hospital.
What was the hardest part about creating Little Land?
Little Land is set up into different play stalls. Tell us about these. Little Land’s play stalls include our Little Growers Market, Busy Beans café, cosy home setting, doctors’ surgery, construction site, school and emergency services area, all complete with a wide range of play props and dress ups to get your child’s imagination thinking big! We also have an icecream truck and caravan for all your holiday dreaming. 12
Trying to convince others that the business idea could actually work. From friends and family who didn’t quite understand the concept, to bank managers and real estate agents who met me at 40 weeks pregnant and second guessed my ability to get it off the ground whilst juggling a family – these doubters just made me work a little harder to make it work. Thankfully I also had a large number of supportive people in my corner too who encouraged me to bring my vision to life and who continue to support me to this day.
