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Welcome to the Happy Kids parents blog!

Click on your child's class to access the class blog. 

Welcome to the Happy Kids parents blog!

Click on your child's class to access the class blog (password required). 

Cuddly Koalas

Friendly Frogs, 22 March 2024

Welcome back to another exciting update from the Friendly Frogs. This week, we went on an adventure to a Lego park, a trip that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Frogs were keen to try their hands at building and were amazed by the incredible structures created from tiny Lego pieces displayed around the park. For many, one of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity to control the trains on the rails of a miniature city built entirely of Legos.

In addition to the Lego park visit, the Friendly Frogs have been diligently preparing for the upcoming Easter celebration. They have been painting eggs and crafting stunning Easter decorations.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 22 March 2024

Music is an essential part of the human experience, of self-reflection, expression, and community. The joy of singing is something every child needs to experience, and when we use simple syllables like ‘la’, we make it easy for your child to learn to sing along. As a bonus, repeating these simple syllables helps your child develop the facial muscles and nerves that lead to fluent speaking.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 22 March 2024

The children of Friendly Frogs were preparing to celebrate Easter during one of their art lessons. They had a great time decorating felt sheet Easter eggs using buttons, paper pieces, flowers, heart cutouts, and laces.

 

Friendly Frogs, 8 March 2024

Outdoor education offers a unique blend of adventure, learning, and personal development that benefits children in many different ways. It provides fantastic opportunities for children to learn about environmental protection. By learning about the environment, they can develop an appreciation of the natural world and an understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things.

Integrating environmental awareness into teaching will broaden children’s understanding of the world and highlight the importance of preserving it. This past week, we celebrated World Wildlife Day. The Friendly Frogs learned that Wildlife means all living things that grow or live in a natural habitat, including plants and animals. We talked about the different habitats and what we can do to protect the animals and plants occupying those habitats.

Following our discussion, we engaged in active outdoor learning activities to enrich our understanding further. Each group were tasked with collecting materials from the environment to construct miniature ecosystems within jars. Some gathered soil and mud, while others collected leaves and twigs. After putting the ecosystem together, we discussed the potential inhabitants of these miniature habitats. The soil might house creatures like worms, while snails could be found beneath leaves on the ground. Leaves might shelter ladybirds and caterpillars. The experience was a delightful and educational experience for the Frogs.

 

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 8 March 2024

Children are naturally drawn to imitating animals. Immersing themselves in the animal world through movement and sound is a rich source of exploration and discovery. When we pretend to be friendly, sun-loving spiders, the Friendly Frogs can experience the world of the spider in a way that feels safe and fun. Exploring the movement of spiders and observing and imitating the movement of others in the class helps to expand the Friendly Frogs movement vocabulary. They find new ways to move, as well as the language to label those movements.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 8 March 2024

The Friendly Frogs learned about the natural habitats of a variety of insects, with a special emphasis on the life cycle of a butterfly. The children used various art materials, as well as cutting, colouring, and sticking techniques to create their depictions of the butterfly’s life cycle. Each child used their imagination to create their unique artwork.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 9 Febr 2024

During an outdoor lesson, the Friendly Frogs worked together to create a Valentine’s Day Love banner, in which they first learned about the symbols associated with Valentine’s Day, collected different objects from the garden area and then used them as stamps to make prints on the banner. The Children were very happy while painting with leaves and pine cones.

Friendly Frogs, 9 Febr 2024

The past two weeks have been about celebrating World Read Aloud Day and relishing the beautiful sunshine and kind weather that have made their way to us, giving hope that the chills of winter are slowly fading.

One of our parents came to read stories for the Frogs on World Read Aloud Day; they were delighted. They actively engaged in discussions, asked relevant questions about the stories, and made cute bookmarks. Since the weather has been so lovely, the Frogs have enjoyed the sandbox, playing outdoors and making delicious ice-creams and cakes. We have also continued to immerse ourselves in outdoor learning, engaging in Kinesthetic Jolly Phonics exercises and story time amidst the natural surroundings.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 9 Febr 2024

When introducing the concept of the triple meter and the waltz movement, offering a variety of ways for the Friendly Frogs to practice and explore this concept will strengthen their understanding. By counting 1-2-3 and emphasizing the first beat with your voice as well as adding a large motion to the first beat of the clapping pattern, the Friendly Frogs can feel and experience this rhythm. Moving a prop, such as a scarf, in a three-beat pattern to the music reinforces the experience of the triple meter. Each layer of experience in this activity supports learning and understanding. This skill-building activity will continue to aid the children in other activities that require complex coordination.

Friendly Frogs, 26 Jan 2024

Success in mathematics begins with developing a sense of numbers through counting and quantity. While teaching children to count from 1 to 10 and beyond is helpful, this skill differs from learning to count. A strong foundation in counting and quantity is crucial for later mathematical success in higher grades. The Friendly Frogs are learning about numbers and quantities. To add more excitement to our lesson, we took it outdoors. The Frogs had to identify the numbers and then go around the garden to collect objects to represent those numbers. Everyone contributed to the activity by collecting loads of pinecones.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 26 Jan 2024

The Friendly Frogs love games and turn this echo activity into a game they can engage in before they realize how unique their responses are. Be aware of the children who echo immediately as well as the ones who hesitate. The leaders in the class will provide an opportunity to demonstrate the skill and assist in building the skill and confidence of those who are not quite ready to jump in with an echo.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 26 Jan 2024

The Friendly Frogs learned about warm and cool colours during their art lesson. They identified warm and cool colours through various images and then painted the sun and moon effects according to their imaginations using the silhouette painting technique.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 12 Jan 2024

In one of their visual art lessons, the Friendly Frogs learned about winter colours and different textures. They touched and felt the difference between hard, soft, and rough textures. Then the children using the collage artwork technique stuck different textured pieces on the paper to create their mixed winter textured artwork. They loved the whole process.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 12 Jan 2024

“Stop” is a powerful word. It is an important one, too, and can come in handy when the Friendly Frogs’ safety is at risk. You might also find that it is a clearer, more positive alternative to the word “no”. We will be playing stop-and-go games today because Friendly Frogs enjoy them and because learning to stop is an important skill to master.

Friendly Frogs, 12 Jan 2024

​In successful teamwork, communication takes centre stage. The ability to truly listen and articulate thoughts is the cornerstone of effective communication. Collaboration goes beyond academic benefits; The Frogs are also learning the power of active listening.

They are learning that it is not just about completing tasks; it is a journey that will instil in them an early appreciation of the benefits of working hand in hand.

This activity incorporated Tribes and teamwork. What is a Tribes Community? Tribes foster a caring culture among learners, emphasizing tolerance and working as a community while respecting four essential agreements.
• Attentive listening
• Appreciation/no put-downs
• Mutual respect
• The right to pass

Learners were divided into four groups within their Tribes. Each tribe was given a container full of balls and one empty. The task was to work together to move the balls into the empty container without using their hands. We discussed the power of communication and listening to one another when working as a team. While enthusiastic about the activity, some rules were challenging for some Frogs. However, with guidance and questioning, they could discover a solution and complete the task.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 1 Dec 2023

This lesson was all about pretending! The Friendly Frogs embarked on a sea adventure, pretended to be pirates, and transformed into royalty as they explored how far their imagination could take them. But pretend or imaginative play is more than just a fun way for children to entertain themselves-it is a complex process that builds skills in several different developmental areas. By pretending, imagining, dramatizing, and experimenting, children build language and communication skills, develop their capacity for empathy and cooperation, and practice creative problem-solving.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 1 Dec 2023

The Friendly Frogs are super excited to meet Santa and receive their presents. They had so much fun making their paper plate Santa artwork during their Visual Arts lesson. They enjoyed colouring and sticking the eyes, nose, cotton beard, and cap onto their paper plate Santa artwork. It is always great when children express their creativity through art projects like this.

Friendly Frogs, 1 Dec 2023

Not many things in nature are as beautiful as the first real bed of snow on the ground and the trees. Yesterday was a magical day, with the first real snowfall of the year. The Friendly Frogs came to kindergarten in awe of the winter wonderland that awaited them outside; they waited with anticipation to go play, sledge and roll on the ground. We contained our excitement and delayed going so that a few more of the Frogs would arrive; we then bundled up so as not to watch that enchanting view from our windows anymore. The Frogs had a joyous time. The way they engaged and played in the snow defined childhood wonder.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 17 Nov 2023

Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, the Friendly Frogs children made a Thanksgiving turkey in one of their art lessons. First, they discussed the meaning of Thanksgiving and why people celebrate Thanksgiving. Further, they identified things they are thankful for, such as family, friends, food, clean water, clean air, our homes, and many other things. Then they identified the main body parts of a turkey for example eyes, beak, snood, wings, and feet. Then they made the body of a turkey by painting the bubble wrap and leaving the marks on the paper. By sticking the eyes, beak, and snood they completed the body of their turkeys. In the end, they glued the feathers onto their turkeys, and they really enjoyed the process of adding the colourful feathers.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 17 Nov 2023

The loving connection during quiet time is very important to the Friendly Frogs. The love, trust, comfort, safety, and warmth create an environment where your child’s learning and development can take place fully and naturally.

Friendly Frogs, 17 Nov 2023

Children have a natural love for ponies; the Friendly Frogs could not contain their excitement when they saw the ponies. Many of the Frogs who hesitated to ride the first time were braver this time around and willing to try it.

Pony riding is not only fun; it is fostering skills that will last them a lifetime. For instance, responsibility and self-discipline are essential parts of pony riding because they need to listen and be in the same rhythm as the ponies. It requires a commitment to respect and behave responsibly towards the animal at all times. The Friendly Frogs are practising those skills and displaying them very well.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 03 Nov 2023

The Friendly Frogs children made spooky Halloween-themed spiders in one of their visual arts lessons. First, they observed the most popular Halloween symbols and identified their main features. Then, they learned a few interesting facts about spiders, such as they have eight legs and eyes. Next, the children painted the spider samples with black tempera paint, squeezed glue on the samples, and glued wiggly eyes on them. At last, they squeezed more glue and shook glitter on them.

Friendly Frogs, 03 Nov 2023

Halloween is a day to be creative and show up with fabulous costumes to showcase our inner superheroes, princesses and any characters we desire to be. Let us not forget the candies that come with it. The Frogs had a day full of games, fun and excitement. The children came dressed in their most extravagant costumes. We had princesses, witches, deer, pumpkins, superheroes, Paw Patrol, a skeleton, a dinosaur and Harry Potter. We kicked off the morning with some games. The Frogs practised their gross motor skills, overall coordination, hand-eye coordination, and accuracy while playing balloon toss, ring toss and bowling. At the end of the party, we shared some delicious sweets to end the day.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 03 Nov 2023

Each week we go through the process of naming what we are going to hear, listening to the sound, and then engaging with that sound through vocal play. We are setting the Friendly Frogs up for success so that listening becomes active and fun. While we are playing with sounds, we are also training their brains to distinguish sounds.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 13 Oct 2023

The Friendly Frogs children have learned interesting facts about the harvest season and harvestable fruits and vegetables and therefore, they met with Jack, a brilliant gardener in one of their visual arts lessons. In the book, The Giant Carrot written by Allan Manham, Jack tries to pull out a giant carrot. The children got inspired by the story and made their own giant carrots. They cut orange-coloured paper pieces into smaller sizes, glued them onto the carrot samples, and practised the use of glue sticks and scissors.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 13 Oct 2023

Timbre awareness is the musical equivalent of phonemic awareness. It is an auditory skill that is developed through experience and exposure to many different musical sounds. Comparing and contrasting the sounds the bells and shakers make strengthens the same part of the brain that helps the Friendly Frogs listen to distinctions in the sounds of language.

Friendly Frogs, 13 Oct 2023

The Friendly Frogs were hard at work preparing for the Autumn Assembly until the performance. They were terrific at singing the songs and dancing. We are very proud of them. After the Assembly, we went outside to play some exciting games and finished off the day with a dance party. Another highlight of the week was Rolli Polli. It is a favourite of all the children as they run around and do fun exercises, expending all that extra energy they have while strengthening those gross motor skills. They are very much looking forward to the next one.

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 29 Sept 2023

The Friendly Frogs children made cute corn artwork in one of their visual arts lessons. First, they squeezed yellow paint into the containers. Then, they painted the bubble wrap pieces with brushes to the best of their abilities and created prints on the corn samples. At last, they glued the missing parts on the corn samples, such as kernels, silks, and husks. They used their fine motor skills, creativity, imagination, sensory exploration, and problem-solving skills. Also, they worked with patience and persistence.

Friendly Frogs, 29 Sept 2023

We have had many exciting new things happening in the past two weeks. One was that the ponies came for a visit. As usual, the children were eager to get their turns to ride these gentle creatures. Some of the new children were hesitant at first, but once they got the courage to get on a pony, they loved it and asked for a second turn. We also had some guests from the Austrian-Hungarian European school. The children came to say hello to our class, felt right at home, and decided to join in and spend some time playing with the Frogs. Both sides had a fantastic time interacting and playing with one another. The Frogs are certainly looking forward to a future visit from their older new friends.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 29 Sept 2023

At about 10-12 months old, babies begin to interpret the facial expressions of the people around them to make sense of new or unclear situations. The Friendly Frogs’ age has continued to refine this skill, but may still only use broad categories of emotion, like happy or sad. Helping the Friendly Frogs identify and recognize their own emotions helps them to understand their own feelings and those of people around them.

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 15 Sept 2023

Sharing and taking turns is a learned process that only develops when children can start empathizing with others. These skills take a tremendous amount of self-control. We model self-control for the Friendly Frogs as they see you patiently wait to play the triangle. We can also help the children wait by touching them gently or showing them how to pretend to play the triangle before it is their turn. This helps them find their own strategies for waiting. Learning these skills helps the Friendly Frogs when we celebrate and acknowledge all the tiny achievements along the way. Observe your child when he is with friends and classmates. Watch for opportunities to affirm his efforts, saying something like: “You are so polite to wait while Nancy takes a turn.”

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 15 Sept 2023

The Friendly Frogs children were invited to create sensory self-portraits of themselves using a variety of materials. The children continued their fun with the All About Me learning theme and looked into mirrors to see what makes them special and unique, what colour their eyes were, what colour their hair was, what type of hair they had, and what colour their skin was. They created their faces with dough and added a variety of materials that matched their facial features.

Friendly Frogs, 15 Sept 2023

The Friendly Frogs have been busy in the past two weeks, getting to know one another, learning the routine and starting a new Unit of Inquiry. Everyone has settled quite well into the environment and is doing a fantastic job in class. The Friendly Frogs have been learning about themselves as individuals and the diversity that exists around them.

We did some outdoor learning activities during our getting-to-know-you week, which the Frogs enjoyed a lot, to encourage and support their listening skills, following a variety of instructions and also having fun together as a group. In this activity, the Frogs had to locate task cards placed around the garden and, once found, perform the exercises on the cards. Learning outdoors has much added value in nurturing imagination, uplifting the senses, improving gross motor skills and fostering creativity. These little tasks also help children to bond with their classmates and create positive peer relationships.

Friendly Frogs, 22 March 2024

Welcome back to another exciting update from the Friendly Frogs. This week, we went on an adventure to a Lego park, a trip that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Frogs were keen to try their hands at building and were amazed by the incredible structures created from...

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 22 March 2024

Music is an essential part of the human experience, of self-reflection, expression, and community. The joy of singing is something every child needs to experience, and when we use simple syllables like 'la', we make it easy for your child to learn to sing along. As a...

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 22 March 2024

The children of Friendly Frogs were preparing to celebrate Easter during one of their art lessons. They had a great time decorating felt sheet Easter eggs using buttons, paper pieces, flowers, heart cutouts, and laces.  

Friendly Frogs, 8 March 2024

Outdoor education offers a unique blend of adventure, learning, and personal development that benefits children in many different ways. It provides fantastic opportunities for children to learn about environmental protection. By learning about the environment, they...

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 8 March 2024

Children are naturally drawn to imitating animals. Immersing themselves in the animal world through movement and sound is a rich source of exploration and discovery. When we pretend to be friendly, sun-loving spiders, the Friendly Frogs can experience the world of the...

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 8 March 2024

The Friendly Frogs learned about the natural habitats of a variety of insects, with a special emphasis on the life cycle of a butterfly. The children used various art materials, as well as cutting, colouring, and sticking techniques to create their depictions of the...

Friendly Frogs, Visual Arts, 9 Febr 2024

During an outdoor lesson, the Friendly Frogs worked together to create a Valentine's Day Love banner, in which they first learned about the symbols associated with Valentine's Day, collected different objects from the garden area and then used them as stamps to make...

Friendly Frogs, 9 Febr 2024

The past two weeks have been about celebrating World Read Aloud Day and relishing the beautiful sunshine and kind weather that have made their way to us, giving hope that the chills of winter are slowly fading. One of our parents came to read stories for the Frogs on...

Friendly Frogs, Music and Drama, 9 Febr 2024

When introducing the concept of the triple meter and the waltz movement, offering a variety of ways for the Friendly Frogs to practice and explore this concept will strengthen their understanding. By counting 1-2-3 and emphasizing the first beat with your voice as...

Friendly Frogs, 26 Jan 2024

Success in mathematics begins with developing a sense of numbers through counting and quantity. While teaching children to count from 1 to 10 and beyond is helpful, this skill differs from learning to count. A strong foundation in counting and quantity is crucial for...