Spring is in the air for the Friendly Frogs. Our little artists had a fantastic time creating vibrant spring meadows, filling their papers with bright colours, blooming flowers, and the season’s joy. Watching their creativity blossom was genuinely heartwarming. 

Children have an innate curiosity about the animal world and are naturally drawn to imitating the movements and sounds of different creatures. Engaging in this imaginative play offers them a rich source of exploration, discovery, and creative expression. When we pretend to be friendly, sun-loving spiders, the Friendly Frogs are invited into a world of make-believe that feels safe and exciting. This playful immersion allows them to experience the life of a spider firsthand—crawling, creeping, stretching, and scuttling—while deepening their connection to the natural world. As they explore these movements, they refine their motor skills and sharpen their ability to observe and imitate the actions of their peers. Watching how others interpret the movement of spiders broadens their movement vocabulary, inspiring them to experiment with new ways of using their bodies. Additionally, as they engage in this process, they develop the language needed to describe their actions—using words like crawling, weaving, balancing, or tiptoeing—helping them build physical awareness and verbal expression. Through this blend of movement, observation, and descriptive language, the Friendly Frogs gain confidence in their ability to communicate ideas and emotions through their bodies, strengthening their creative and cognitive development.

There is something magical about learning outdoors, and our recent Life Hunt Walk was a perfect example! Inspired by children’s natural curiosity, we embarked on an exploration to observe living things at different stages of their life cycles. Equipped with magnifying glasses and digital tools, our little nature detectives eagerly searched for growth, transformation, and change signs. Their observations were captured through conversations and photographs taken by the children themselves. Providing cameras empowered them to take ownership of their learning, documenting their discoveries through their own lens. We recorded our findings on a chart. They were fascinated by the resilience of nature. Tiny flowers pushed through the cold soil, vibrant green grass sprouting beneath fallen leaves, plants with lush green foliage, others still bare, and even the little ant marching purposefully along the seesaw. This experience was more than just a walk; it allowed children to connect with nature and sharpen their observation skills. By documenting their discoveries, they became active participants in their learning, deepening their understanding of life cycles through hands-on exploration.

The little artists at Friendly Frogs had a fantastic time exploring the magical world of colours! From the bright blue sky to the vibrant hues of a rainbow, they let their creativity shine through beautiful paintings inspired by nature. Watching their imaginations come to life on paper was pure joy.

Introducing the triple meter and waltz movement concept through diverse, engaging activities enhances the Friendly Frogs’ comprehension and experience of this rhythm. Children can physically and aurally internalise the rhythm by counting “1-2-3” and emphasising the first beat vocally while incorporating a pronounced motion in the clapping pattern. Using props like scarves to move in a three-beat pattern further reinforces their understanding of the triple meter. Each layer of engagement deepens their learning, providing a strong foundation for future activities that require complex coordination and rhythmic awareness.

Over the past two weeks, the Friendly Frogs have been strengthening their collaborative and creative skills through engaging activities. Two of these activities were Lily Pad Jump, which promoted teamwork and problem-solving, and Ice Exploration, which encouraged sensory exploration, creativity, and curiosity. In the Lily pad jump, children worked in teams to cross a pretend river using limited lily pads and other available items. They had to strategise, communicate, and problem-solve to move across safely. This activity reinforced patience, cooperation, and critical thinking as they took turns, supported one another, and experienced the power of teamwork. The Ice exploration station offered a hands-on way to observe colour mixing, melting, and texture changes, fostering curiosity and an understanding of cause and effect. The open-ended nature of the activity encouraged collaboration, problem-solving, and communication, while the flowing movement of colour on ice provided a calming sensory experience. These activities highlight the importance of play-based learning, helping children develop essential life skills through exploration and teamwork.

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This week, we engaged in a Reggio Emilia-inspired activity with the children that combined mirrors, natural materials, and loose parts. This hands-on exploration invited the children to dive into their creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills while fostering a deeper connection with their environment. The Reggio Emilia philosophy emphasises creativity, self-expression, and hands-on exploration, all of which were at the heart of this activity. Mirrors served as a tool for reflection, literally and metaphorically, helping the children see their work from new angles and inspiring them to expand their ideas. The loose parts acted as “provocations,” encouraging open-ended play and fostering a sense of agency as the children decided how to use the materials. Each child uniquely approached the materials. Some carefully sorted and arranged the objects, while others created intricate designs or imagined entire stories around their creations. One of the creations was a house with a beautiful garden; another group made a beautiful world where fairies live.

Our little artists had an unforgettable time exploring the wonders of winter. The Friendly Frogs unleashed their creativity to craft stunning winter collages as they marvelled at the season’s beauty. Using a variety of textures and materials, they brought their imaginative ideas to life, turning simple crafts into masterpieces. From fluffy snow to shimmering ice, their creations captured the essence of winter most delightfully.  The hands-on experience encouraged self-expression, artistic exploration, and fun.  Swipe to see their fabulous designs and the joy they had while making them.

The Friendly Frogs love turning learning into play, and their enthusiasm shines during our echo games. This engaging activity quickly transforms into an entertaining challenge that captures their attention before they realise how unique their responses are. Observing the differences in how the children participate is fascinating—some echo immediately, while others take a moment to respond. These natural variations provide valuable insight into their learning styles. Class leaders play an essential role in modelling the activity and demonstrating the skill. This builds their confidence and supports peers who may not yet feel ready to join fully. The Friendly Frogs are growing in confidence and capability through these games while having a blast.

The Friendly Frogs have been busy exploring the concept of teamwork in our new Unit of Inquiry.  This unit focuses on developing collaboration, listening, and achieving shared goals.

One key activity involved creating a “Cooperation Web” using a ball of yarn. As the yarn was passed around, each child held onto a piece, forming a web that symbolised how we are all connected. This visual representation helped the children understand the value of their individual contributions and the strength that comes from working together.

We played a game called Pass the Ball, where the goal was to pass a ball around the circle without dropping it. This activity taught the children that teamwork requires focus, patience and trust.

We also engaged in some Reggio Emilia-inspired activities, where the Friendly Frogs used materials like rocks, twigs, leaves and shells to create designs. These open-ended tasks encouraged creativity, collaboration, and the appreciation of each other’s ideas.

Through these activities, the Friendly Frogs build essential teamwork skills in fun, meaningful ways.

The Friendly Frogs had a blast ringing in the New Year with their vibrant fireworks artwork.  They had so much fun painting bright, colourful fireworks and adding a sprinkle of glitter for that extra sparkle.  The joy of creating such dazzling designs made this New Year celebration even more memorable.

Even something as simple as waving can unlock a world of fine motor skill development for the Friendly Frogs.  Each waving style—whether using their fingers, opening and closing their hands, or playing the castanets—engages different muscles essential for many life skills.

These movements help them practice coordination, which is crucial for tasks like writing their names, tying shoelaces, or even playing the violin in the future. Playfully exploring these skills lays the foundation for their growth, giving them the tools they will need as they continue to develop.

It is excellent how something as fun as waving can support their future abilities.

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​The little artists at Friendly Frogs hopped into the festive spirit with a fun-filled Christmas craft session.  They had a fantastic time creating beautiful Christmas bells, cutting, decorating, and adding their sparkle to every piece.

The room was alive with laughter, creativity, and the season’s magic as they brought their visions to life.

Silliness is one of the best tools in a parent’s toolkit! Whether turning a challenge into a moment of joy or using a playful twist to guide behaviour, humour can transform any situation.

The Friendly Frogs absolutely thrive when their grown-ups join in on the fun and embrace their silliness. You do not have to be a professional dancer to get in on the action—let your inner dancing pig shine, even if it is just at home. Showing your child how fun and freeing it can be to move in silly ways creates laughter and a chance for some bonding and a bit of exercise. Try it out and watch the magic happen—laughter is the best way to connect and make lasting memories!

​Children have boundless imagination; our recent activity, The Magic Carpet, brought this to life. This outdoor adventure was designed to ignite creativity, encourage teamwork, and transport the children to magical destinations.

The teacher introduced the concept of a magic carpet that could take us anywhere in the world. We brainstormed destinations: a deep ocean, a jungle filled with wild animals, a snowy mountain shimmering with ice, and even a hidden castle full of treasures. The ideas set the stage for an imaginative journey.

The children climbed aboard the magic carpet, closed their eyes, and let their imaginations take flight as we pretended to soar through the air. Together, we decided on our first destination: a deep ocean where colourful fish swam, and dolphins jumped over sparkling waves. As we arrived at each destination, the children were encouraged to describe their surroundings.

This activity tapped into their creativity and fostered teamwork and communication. By sharing ideas and building on each other’s suggestions, the children collaborated to create a vibrant world.

The Friendly Frogs were excitedly buzzing as they crafted adorable paper plate Santas to prepare for St. Nicholas’ arrival. Their creativity knows no bounds!

The Friendly Frogs place great importance on fostering loving connections during quiet time. This special period nurtures a sense of trust, comfort, and safety, which is essential for a child’s well-being. The warmth and care provided create an environment where children feel secure and valued. Your child’s learning and development can unfold naturally and confidently in such a nurturing setting. These moments lay the foundation for growth, encouraging emotional resilience and a love for exploration.

The Friendly Frogs hopped into the world of patterns! From AB to AABB sequences, they have mastered pattern recognition through hands-on indoor and outdoor activities. They are excited to explore more complex patterns and incorporate art and music into their learning journey.

Our Friendly Frogs got creative with artwork inspired by ‘Elmer, the Patchwork Elephant’.Using colourful paper patchwork techniques, they skillfully brought Elmer to life. Their vibrant creations are as unique and joyful as the story itself.

An instrument play-along offers many opportunities to develop social skills. The Friendly Frogs are encouraged to choose their instruments, wait patiently for their turn, and interact with their friends while playing. At the end of the activity, they collaborate as a group to tidy up the instruments and prepare for what comes next. These moments foster essential skills such as cooperation, building relationships, and understanding others. Each step is a meaningful contribution to their growth in empathy and teamwork.

Close your eyes and imagine walking a path guided only by the voice of a trusted companion. That is exactly what the Friendly Frogs experienced during the Trust Wal. Hand in hand, they explored the importance of trust, communication, and teamwork. What is the Trust Walk? It is a partner activity where one child guides a blindfolded partner using only verbal instructions. Before starting, we revisited our TRIBES agreements to emphasise respect, active listening, and safety. As the children stepped into their roles, they discovered guiding without touch required patience and empathy, while trusting a partner took courage and connection. 🌟 Here is what they learned: Feeling safe and assured when relying on others. Giving clear instructions and being mindful of tone and pace.Caring for someone else’s well-being. This simple yet powerful activity was a journey of growth, connection, and so much fun!

Halloween fun came alive with the Friendly Frogs as they painted paper plate spiders using sponges. The children loved adding their personal touch by choosing bright and bold colours for their spooky creations.

Each week, we guide the Friendly Frogs through naming sounds, listening to them, and engaging in vocal play. This process makes listening active and enjoyable, helping the children connect with each sound. By playing with these sounds, we are also building essential listening skills that support their learning. Through these fun interactions, we are setting them up for success in distinguishing different sounds. This approach enriches their experience and trains their brains to become more attentive listeners.

The Friendly Frogs have been learning and strengthening their mathematical skills, with a recent focus on spatial awareness and observation through an outdoor math activity called “Spotting Differences.” Using nature as our primary teaching tool, we explored a series of exercises designed to help the children observe, remember, and recreate patterns and sequences. In this exercise, the teacher arranged a line of natural items—such as stones, leaves, and twigs—for the children to observe. They studied the line-up briefly, noting the exact order and number of items. Then, with eyes closed, the teacher quietly removed one item from the sequence. When the children opened their eyes, they asked to spot the missing item. This game encouraged them to focus on memory and attention to detail.

Next, we practised accuracy and spatial awareness. The teacher created a simple pattern with twigs and leaves, and the children were invited to replicate the arrangement beside it, carefully observing the placement and orientation of each item. Once they had successfully mirrored the arrangement, the teacher introduced a subtle change, and the children tried to identify the difference.
These nature-based activities introduce basic mathematical principles through tangible, hands-on experiences. By observing and manipulating items in real time, the children naturally develop an understanding of patterns, spatial reasoning, and memory while enjoying the outdoors and building a deeper connection with their environment.

It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of the first term! The Friendly Frogs have been busy with their learning adventures. To conclude our Unit of Inquiry, we focused on two key areas.The first was “Who is in our community? Understanding the people around us.” The Friendly Frogs took an exciting walk around the kindergarten to discover more about the people who help make our community run smoothly. One of the people they spoke with was our office manager; they learnt about her role and the important work she does every day.The second area we explored was weather and its role in our community. We discussed how weather and seasons shape the world around us and impact our daily lives. The Frogs shared their experiences of playing outside on a sunny day or needing raincoats when it rains, helping them to understand how weather patterns affect their activities and the community. We also explored the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. We talked about how the changes in seasons influence what we wear, the activities we enjoy, and how our environment looks. To bring this learning to life, the Friendly Frogs worked in their TRIBES groups to create collaborative seasonal artwork. What is TRIBES? It is a cooperative learning approach that fosters group collaboration, respect, and inclusion. The Frogs are learning to function as a community by collaborating to reach common goals.

Friendly Frogs are diving into timbre awareness! Through bells, shakers, and hands-on activities, they are learning to hear unique sound qualities, building skills essential for language and reading development. Exploring these sounds strengthens their auditory perception in a big way!

Friendly Frogs dived into process art, painting with autumn leaves to celebrate the season. This fall-inspired activity helped them practice motor skills and coordination.

We are back with another exciting update. The Friendly Frogs have been busy getting ready for the Hungarian Harvest Festival. And wow, did they put on a fantastic performance? While the rainy weather kept us from heading outside, we did not let it dampen our spirits. Instead, we took the fun indoors and headed to the gym for Harvest-themed games. The Frogs had fun playing games such as “Pin the Cob on the Corn” and Tossing Pumpkins.
But that is not all! Our pony friends visited last week, bringing a new excitement. At first, some of the Frogs were a little cautious, but after seeing their friends ride with big smiles, they built up their courage and decided to give it a try. And guess what? They loved it! It was a great sense of adventure for all.
On the academic side, the Friendly Frogs have been exploring the various roles people play in our community. This week, we focused on transportation and discovered how people travel.

From around 10 to 12 months old, babies start to read and interpret the facial expressions of those around them, using these cues to navigate unfamiliar or unclear situations. By the time they reach the Friendly Frogs stage, children have developed and refined this skill, though they may still rely on broad emotional categories, such as “happy” or “sad,” to describe their feelings. Supporting Friendly Frogs in identifying and articulating their emotions is key to their emotional development. By helping them label and understand what they are experiencing internally, we empower them to gain insight into their emotional world. This, in turn, allows them to begin recognising and responding to the emotions of others. The ability to comprehend and express emotions is a crucial part of building emotional intelligence. Fostering this awareness in Friendly Frogs will not only support their social interactions but also aid in developing empathy, self-regulation, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the people around them.

The Friendly Frogs had a blast creating scarecrows to celebrate the harvest season! They enthusiastically assembled paper pieces to form their scarecrow figures, adding fun details like eyes, noses, hats, and more. This engaging activity sparked their creativity and helped enhance their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and critical thinking abilities. What a wonderful way to combine art and learning!

The Friendly Frogs showcased their tracing skills by outlining their faces in their initial lessons. They crafted beautiful frog artwork that highlighted their scissor skills and delved into the world of primary colors while honing their painting techniques.

We are excited to be back for a new school year, and the Friendly Frogs are settling in exceptionally well into their new classroom environment. To kick off the year, we have been covering a range of topics, including a review of some key mathematical concepts such as shapes and sorting. While shape recognition may seem simple, it is a vital skill that supports cognitive, motor, and social development in early childhood. By providing children with enjoyable, hands-on activities—like sorting shapes outdoors—we help them build a strong foundation for future learning.
One of the activities the Friendly Frogs enjoyed was the outdoor Shape Game. In this activity, the teacher called out a shape, and the children had to quickly run and stand inside the corresponding shape drawn on the ground. They also sorted shape blocks, placing them within their matching shapes. This fun and interactive activity was a fantastic way to reinforce shape knowledge while developing gross motor skills—all while enjoying the fresh air.
Our second outdoor adventure was the Ant Trail Adventure. The Friendly Frogs followed a trail, collecting ant cutouts hidden along the way. Each time they found an ant, they practised the /a/ sound using the Jolly Phonics action. This engaging activity helped the children connect the /a/ sound to the word “ant” while also promoting gross motor skills as they moved around the outdoor space.
Both activities were a huge success, blending learning with the joy of outdoor play.
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Sharing and taking turns is a skill children gradually develop as they begin empathising with others. This process requires much self-control, which does not come naturally but can be nurtured with guidance and practice. We model self-control for the Friendly Frogs by demonstrating patience – for example, when they see their friend calmly waiting for his turn to play the triangle, they learn through observation. We can also help children manage their impulses by gently touching them or encouraging them to pretend to play the triangle while they wait for their turn. This simple action helps them create their strategies for waiting, which fosters independence and emotional regulation. As the Friendly Frogs continue to practise these skills, it is important to celebrate and acknowledge each small achievement along the way, reinforcing their progress and encouraging further development.