The School of Play Curriculum
Kindergarten
Week One of our Kindergarten Curriculum is all about building connection, confidence, and joy through simple, playful experiences. Children begin the week by exploring movement and teamwork through the Animal Movement Relay, where they hop, slither, gallop, and flutter like different animals, boosting coordination and encouraging classmates to cheer each other on. They then move into gentle emotional learning with Who Am I?, drawing their families and sharing something special about the people they love. This activity nurtures creativity, builds language skills, and helps children feel safe and proud of who they are.
The week continues by blending imagination with movement in Old MacDonald Had a Fitness Farm, a playful story-based workout that gets bodies moving and minds engaged. Students finish the week by turning kindness into a habit through our Random Acts of Kindness Challenge, where each child completes a simple act of kindness and reflects on how it made someone else feel. Together, these activities lay the foundation for a supportive, connected classroom community. Children learn to express themselves, move confidently, care for others, and discover the joy of learning through play, setting a warm and upbeat tone for the year ahead.
Weekly Lessons
Animal Movement Relay
Animal Movement Relay is a joyful burst of imagination, movement, and laughter, perfect for helping young learners build confidence in their bodies while exploring the wonder of the animal world. As children hop like frogs, slither like snakes, and flap their wings like birds, they’re not just moving; they’re stepping into playful storytelling with their whole bodies. The activity gives children permission to be silly, creative, and expressive, building fundamental gross-motor skills without even realising they’re practising them. Every leap and wiggle supports coordination, balance, and confidence, helping little learners feel proud of what their bodies can do.
The magic of this relay lies in the shared experience. Children cheer each other on, take turns, and celebrate every effort, building teamwork and kindness in the most natural way. With each animal sound and playful movement, the group becomes more connected, laughing together, encouraging one another, and enjoying the thrill of completing challenges as a team. Whether played indoors or outdoors, Animal Movement Relay transforms the space into a lively zoo of imagination and collaboration. It’s not about who wins, it’s about moving freely, expressing joy, and experiencing the power of play to build confidence, connection, and creativity in every child.
Who Am I?
Who Am I? is a gentle and heartfelt activity that invites young children to reflect on the most important people in their world, their families. Through drawing, colouring, and labelling their family members, children explore their creativity while strengthening their fine motor skills and understanding of family structures. As they add special details and think about what makes each person unique, students begin to build a deeper appreciation for the people who care for them, teach them, and make them feel loved. The drawing becomes a beautiful blend of creativity and personal meaning, helping children express who they are by celebrating the people who shape their lives.
Once the drawings are complete, the magic continues as children share their pictures with the group. Talking about their families helps them practise verbal expression in a safe, supportive space, building confidence and communication skills. As they explain why each family member is special, the room fills with warmth, gratitude, and connection. Whether displayed on a wall or shared in pairs, the activity fosters a sense of pride and belonging. Who Am I? is more than a drawing exercise, it’s an experience that nurtures self-identity, emotional development, and appreciation for the relationships that help children feel safe, loved, and seen.
Old MacDonald Had a Fitness Farm
Old MacDonald Had a Fitness Farm is a lively, imaginative movement game that brings storytelling and exercise together in a way young children absolutely love. As students follow along with the narrative, they get to act out different animals on the farm, jumping, twisting, galloping, flapping, and moving their bodies in playful ways that make fitness feel joyful and natural. The familiar rhythm of the Old MacDonald story helps students stay engaged while practising listening skills, coordination, and following instructions. With each new animal introduced, children eagerly transform their movements and sounds, turning the room into a buzzing, giggling fitness farm full of creativity and active fun.
As the story unfolds, students fully immerse themselves in the experience, using their imagination to become cows, horses, pigs, ducks, and more. They move with energy, laugh with each other, and enjoy the freedom of expressing themselves through both sound and movement. The activity blends physical development with storytelling, helping children build motor skills while having an absolute blast. With no winners or losers, the focus remains on participation, enjoyment, and staying active. Whether used in a classroom, outdoors, or even at home with family, Old MacDonald Had a Fitness Farm transforms exercise into an adventure, one where imagination leads the way and every child feels part of the story.
Random Acts of Kindness Challenge
Random Acts of Kindness Challenge is a simple, heart-warming activity that encourages young children to spread joy through small but meaningful actions. Throughout the day, students are invited to complete one act of kindness, something as easy as sharing a toy, helping a friend, or giving a thoughtful compliment. By intentionally looking for ways to be kind, children begin to understand how their actions can make someone else smile, feel supported, or feel included. This turns the entire day into an opportunity for empathy, compassion, and noticing the needs of others.
At the end of the day, students come together to share their kindness stories. As they talk about what they did and how it made someone feel, they develop confidence in expressing themselves, practise listening respectfully, and learn to appreciate the kind actions of their classmates. The focus is not on winning but on creating a classroom or family atmosphere filled with positivity and support. The challenge helps children recognise that kindness doesn’t need to be big or complicated, every small act matters, and together, those acts help build a happier, more connected community.
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