In our nursery class, music, movement, and play make learning come alive. As part of our “Going to Places” inquiry, children explored songs about transport, sorted vehicles by where they belong, and brought their knowledge to life on the bike track. Every moment is a chance to learn!

Our adorable little Koalas were hands-on, creating the most colourful butterfly art with bright stamps and big smiles. They painted their wings with all the shades of spring, celebrating the season of blossoms, sunshine, and joy.

The Cuddly Koalas had a blast exploring patterns through music and movement.. We swayed gently to the smooth legato waltz and bounced excitedly during the staccato rain-inspired section. Each musical change brought a new way to move, helping our little learners feel and understand the rhythm and pattern in the music. It was such a joyful way to explore early math concepts.

The Cuddly Koalas have been making the most of their time in the big garden, enjoying the freedom to climb, slide, and drive the little cars. Seeing their confidence grow as they explore new challenges has been wonderful! We also introduced a sensory bin filled with natural treasures like pinecones, leaves, flowers, and rocks. The children were eager to touch, smell, and examine each item, sparking curiosity and conversation about nature.

Our adorable Cuddly Koalas had a fantastic time unleashing their creativity. They dipped their tiny paws into a world of colours and painted the most beautiful flowers. 

Did you know toddlers learn to count by memorising the sequence through repetition? At first, they may not realise that “one, two, three” consists of separate words—they hear it as a single phrase! Counting with the Cuddly Koalas helps little ones become familiar with numbers while introducing them to one-to-one correspondence, a key early maths skill.

The Cuddly Koalas are getting creative as they gear up for the Big Draw Charity Event later this year. Therefore, our little artists explored the mesmerising techniques of marble painting and experimented with oil pastels to create beautiful lines and shapes. The joy on their faces was priceless as they watched colours swirl and blend into stunning patterns.  From tiny hands to big imaginations, every stroke is a step toward a fantastic showcase at the event.

“Mine!” “I do!”—familiar phrases in the world of toddlers. Young children can be possessive at this stage and may find it challenging to take turns or share. However, learning to cooperate with others is a vital life skill, and sharing plays a key role in fostering positive social interactions. When the Cuddly Koalas are encouraged to share—such as taking turns with the drum in this activity—they can practise this vital skill in a supportive environment. These early experiences help them make friends and, more importantly, nurture their ability to keep them.

​Exciting news – our new bikes have arrived, and the children could not wait to try them out. The new balance bikes are fantastic for helping children develop balance, coordination, and motor skills while building confidence and independence. Riding the bikes also encourages physical activity and helps improve spatial awareness — all while having lots of fun. Our youngest ones stayed with the motorbikes for now, zooming around with big smiles. As they grow, the new bikes will be ready and waiting for their next adventure.

Our little artists had an absolute blast exploring basic colours during their recent art activity. They experimented with their favourite shades using the balloon bounce technique, watching in awe as each bounce created a beautiful print on their paper. Seeing their excitement as they mixed and matched colours was pure joy, turning their creativity into a stunning masterpiece.

Music profoundly impacts our emotions, making it a powerful tool for helping the Cuddly Koalas learn how to soothe themselves and regulate their feelings. Emotional self-regulation is a vital skill that supports their immediate well-being and ability to navigate challenges, solve problems, and engage in meaningful learning. Incorporating music into moments of relaxation creates a nurturing environment where they can experience and internalise a sense of calm. Through deep breathing and gentle movements, we model what a relaxed state looks and feels like, providing them with a tangible example to follow. To deepen their understanding, we can use descriptive language to help them identify physical sensations associated with calmness—such as feeling soft, loose, light, or at ease. By reinforcing these connections between music, movement, and emotion, we empower the Cuddly Koalas with essential tools for self-regulation that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.

The Cuddly Koalas have enjoyed plenty of outdoor time, making the most of the terrace and the big garden. Exploring, running, and playing in the fresh air has brought us lots of excitement and energy. One of the most memorable moments recently was the return of the ponies. As soon as they arrived, the children eagerly ran to the back of the big garden to see them. Some of our bravest little ones had a turn riding, while others preferred to gently pet the ponies or simply watch them from the side. It was lovely to see their different reactions and growing confidence. We have also been trying new outdoor activities. The enormous building blocks have been a huge success outside, with the children working together to build houses, towers, and even cars. This has encouraged problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity while having fun in the fresh air.

Our little artists at Cuddly Koalas had an absolute blast creating their very own colourful button flower artwork! Tiny hands were busy exploring vibrant buttons, squeezing liquid glue, and bringing their creativity to life. The excitement in the air was contagious as they experimented with different colours and patterns, turning simple materials into beautiful masterpieces!

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Our classes introduce new concepts, such as “up” and “down,” to the Cuddly Koalas through a multi-sensory approach, ensuring meaningful connections between language and movement. This activity reinforces understanding by engaging the children in physical movement, verbal expression, and visual observation. As they recite the poem, they actively embody the words, enhancing comprehension through coordinated actions and peer interaction.

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The children participated in a fantastic project to help our feathered friends during the colder months. They began by mixing birdseed with lard, carefully filling shape cutters to create bird treats. Once the mixture had cooled and set, the treats were placed outside on the bushes alongside pictures of different birds.
Now, we wait and watch, hoping to see birds visit and enjoy their special feast.

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This week, the Cuddly Koalas embraced the magic of winter through an exciting foil painting activity. Using frosty shades of blue, white, and purple, they explored the beauty of winter hues by blending and swirling the colours on shiny foil sheets. The unique texture of the foil added an extra sparkle to their creations, making their artwork shimmer like frost on a cold winter morning. The children were captivated by how the colours mixed and reflected light, bringing their winter-inspired imaginations to life. Their finished masterpieces genuinely celebrate the season, and we could not be prouder of their creativity.

In our recent exploration, the Cuddly Koalas dove into the fascinating world of instruments, discovering how movement and learning go hand in hand. The children were encouraged to investigate each instrument’s texture, colour, and unique qualities, experimenting with different play methods and exploring various sounds they could create. As they played, the Koalas noticed how their movements changed the sounds produced—fast or slow, quiet or loud—helping them develop coordination and control. This hands-on experience engaged their senses of touch, hearing, and sight while fostering creativity and self-expression. By choosing how to play, the Cuddly Koalas explored their individuality and discovered the joy of making music independently.

​The Cuddly Koalas have been exploring the bike track and thoroughly enjoying riding round and round. The track and terrace are decorated with laminated traffic signs and lights, encouraging the children to learn about road safety while they play. They especially enjoy lining up for a race, eagerly waiting for their teacher to say, “Ready, steady, go!” before setting off together. This activity brings plenty of laughter and supports their physical development and understanding of sharing and taking turns.

The Cuddly Koalas had a wonderful time getting creative in their recent art lesson, crafting their snowmen. As they worked on their masterpieces, they also learned about the winter season, exploring all the magic and fun it brings. From snowy landscapes to the joy of building snowmen, this hands-on activity was the perfect way to connect creativity with the wonders of winter.

Playing along with instruments is more than just fun—it is a fantastic way for the Cuddly Koalas to practice critical social skills. They learn the value of cooperation and teamwork from fetching their instruments and taking turns interacting with friends and adults.

At the end of each musical session, they work together to tidy away the instruments, preparing for the next activity. These little moments of collaboration are significant milestones in building relationships, fostering empathy, and strengthening their social growth. It is wonderful to see them develop these essential skills through play.

The Cuddly Koalas ventured outdoors this week for a creative and exciting activity. The children painted ice cubes and shapes using watercolours and brushes, transforming plain ice into vibrant works of art. As they painted, the children marvelled at how the colours spread and how the ice began to melt, sparking curiosity about the changing states of water. The activity encouraged creativity, exploration, and lively discussions about the world around them.

The little artists at Cuddly Koalas had an absolute blast bringing the magic of Christmas to life. Their creative hands crafted the most adorable, cheerful paper reindeer, spreading joy and festive cheer.

The Cuddly Koalas are rolling, bouncing, tossing, and having the time of their lives. Ball play is not just fun—it is a fantastic way for children to explore movement, coordination, and cause-and-effect in a playful, hands-on way.

Every bounce, roll, or pass is an opportunity to learn and grow. They observe how their actions influence the ball and adjust their approach through experimentation, building problem-solving skills and confidence with each playful moment.

What might look like delightful chaos with balls bouncing and rolling around is a dynamic hub of discovery and development.  These little ones are mastering motor skills, enhancing coordination, and unleashing their creativity—all while having a blast.

When the weather allowed, we embraced the outdoors with exciting activities! One of the children’s favourites was our “Reindeer Antlers Tunnel” game. They had so much fun dropping marbles and pompoms down the tunnel and watching them tumble at the bottom. This simple yet engaging activity brought laughter and joy while helping them develop their motor skills and creativity.

The Cuddly Koalas had a merry time painting and decorating Christmas trees during their art lesson! The festive vibes are in full swing as they prepare for the Christmas season.

The ability to keep a steady beat is one of the first musical skills the Cuddly Koalas develop. This skill is crucial for future musical experiences and plays a significant role in everyday life. Many daily activities, such as walking, running, riding a bicycle, or cutting with scissors, rely on paced repetition. Bouncing a ball is another example of how steady beat skills are applied outside of music. Developing this ability early lays a strong foundation for physical coordination and rhythmic awareness.

The Cuddly Koalas had a whirlwind of emotions this week! From practising happy and grumpy faces while singing “This is a Happy Face” to celebrating a birthday with cake and balloons, joy was everywhere. Santa even stopped by with chocolates, and the first snowfall added extra magic as the children played in a snowy wonderland.

At Happy Kids, we’re all about embracing the Thanksgiving spirit. Our Cuddly Koalas had a blast crafting adorable handprint turkeys. From painting their hands to adding googly eyes and beaks, this creative activity was full of fun and sensory exploration.

Waiting for the drum is a challenging task. Like all stop-and-go games, taking turns helps children develop patience – a skill many have not yet mastered. (In truth, even some adults struggle with it!) Giving the Cuddly Koalas opportunities to practise and strengthen this vital skill sets them up for success in school and life. Each moment of waiting becomes a valuable step towards greater self-control and perseverance.

The Cuddly Koalas had a wonderful time preparing for Thanksgiving. We sang festive songs and practised gobbling like turkeys. On Thanksgiving Day, the children enjoyed fun activities like feeding the turkey with pompoms and placing feathers, building their creativity and fine motor skills. Over the past week, we also celebrated the second birthdays of two classmates with delicious cake, adding extra joy to our days.

The Cuddly Koalas embraced the season’s beauty by diving into process art using autumn leaves. This creative activity celebrated fall and helped the children practice their motor skills and coordination in a fun and engaging way.

Many traditions and cultures worldwide use circle dances to strengthen community connections. In our classes, we value the long tradition of circle dancing and the learning that circle dances offer. Circle dances can be simple and fun, with everyone contributing equally (no leaders or followers), and they give everyone a sense of accomplishment and joy. When we dance together, we synchronise our movements to a common steady beat. Research shows that this connects us physically and emotionally, allowing us to relax together as we dance. Circle dances create the perfect environment for the Cuddly Koalas to thrive and grow emotionally and socially.

The past two weeks have been filled with adventure and creativity for the Cuddly Koalas. They enjoyed the thrill of pony riding in the garden, taking turns to ride and forming unique connections with the animals.

With so much time spent outdoors, the children also engaged in natural art activities on the terrace, using leaves and crayons. This activity offered excellent sensory stimuli, allowing them to connect with nature.

Halloween was another highlight, with everyone dressed in fantastic costumes. The Cuddly Koalas had a blast with Halloween songs, pumpkin carving, and a balloon party. It has been an incredible time of learning, sensory exploration, and seasonal fun.

The Cuddly Koalas had an amazing outdoor adventure in the big garden this past week! They spent the morning exploring the play equipment and natural surroundings, sparking curiosity and helping them build problem-solving, social, and creative skills. Time in the garden boosted their confidence and independence, plus we celebrated the second birthdays of two friends with delicious cakes!

Our Cuddly Koalas are mastering finger isolation! Through fun fingerplay, they are learning to control each finger independently—an important step for fine motor skills. From grasping objects to buttoning clothes, these playful activities build the foundation for independence and success in daily life!

Our Cuddly Koalas got creative with conker prints in their arts lesson! This hands-on activity was perfect for refining motor skills and improving hand-eye coordination.

The Cuddly Koalas have embraced the magic of the changing seasons indoors and outdoors! Our little explorers have been playing with colourful autumn leaves and chestnuts, sparking their creativity. They created beautiful apple and grape artworks, adding special touches to celebrate the season. Inside, the fun continued with lively songs about pumpkins, filling the room with laughter and excitement. The children also participated in their very first assembly, a big milestone!

In a recent art lesson, the Cuddly Koalas had a delightful sensory experience as they crafted unique scarecrows using their handprints to celebrate the harvest season. They had a great time adding eyes, mouths, and hats, bringing their creations to life. This engaging activity sparked their creativity and helped enhance their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and critical thinking abilities—all while having a blast!

​As we kick off this exciting new school year, seeing how our nursery children have quickly embraced the routine and activities has been fantastic. From day one, they have jumped right into the fun, exploring music and drama class, visual arts class, and gym time with enthusiasm. The terrace has become a favourite place for outdoor play, where they enjoy running around and soaking up the fresh air. Inside, they have been busy with creative painting sessions, exploring sensory trays, and engaging with various toys. It is heart-warming to see how comfortable and confident they are becoming in their environment, moving around freely and connecting. Every day is a new adventure, and we are excited to see how they continue to grow and thrive in the months ahead!

One of the first musical skills we develop is the ability to maintain a steady beat. This foundational skill is not only essential for future musical experiences, such as playing instruments or singing in time, but it also plays a crucial role in everyday activities. So much of what we do in daily life relies on paced repetition: walking, running, riding a bicycle, cutting with scissors, and even bouncing a ball. Each of these activities requires a sense of rhythm and timing, which is directly linked to our ability to keep a steady beat.
The Cuddly Koalas particularly enjoy practising a steady beat with various instruments. Whether it is tapping on drums, shaking maracas, or clapping along to a song, they engage with the rhythm in fun and interactive ways. By using different instruments, they not only enhance their musicality but also strengthen their motor skills, coordination, and sense of timing, all while having a great time.

The Cuddly Koalas are diving into art activities, embracing routines, and exploring various mediums. Their first painting experience involved creating mess-free artwork using vibrant primary colors.