World Nursery Rhyme Week: A symphony of creativity at HNH

Charlotte Grainger

Early Years Class Teacher

Year Group Lead

Incorporating Huili Nursery Hangzhou's participation in World Nursery Rhyme Week, which took place from November 13-16, adds a wonderful dimension to our global engagement. Huili Nursery Hangzhou recently joined this worldwide celebration launched in the UK in 2013, reflecting our commitment to the holistic development and educational enrichment of our pupils. 

During this week-long event, over 5 million children from 113 countries, including our young learners at HNH, came together to underscore the vital role of nursery rhymes in early childhood development and education. The focus was on enhancing oracy and literacy skills, providing opportunities for numeracy, and nurturing social and emotional development. 

In the vibrant classrooms of HNH, pupils immersed themselves in the festivities, learning new rhymes in both English and Mandarin, fostering bilingual proficiency. Beyond language acquisition, they joyfully danced along and even ventured into the creative realm of crafting their own nursery rhymes. Notably, Ms. Kelly Hou rekindled the cherished tradition of the Music Garden during this event, adding an extra layer of cultural and artistic enrichment. 

The EY1B children entered into the rhythmic world of "Hickory Dickory Dock," unravelling the threads of time and the sequence of animals. Simultaneously, they cruised down the musical highway of "Wheels on the Bus," linking it to their investigation of vehicles, such as monster trucks and school bus wheels. This dynamic approach enhanced linguistic skills and launched our little learners into the concepts of time exploration. 

Meanwhile, EY1A invited parents to jump aboard the nursery rhyme journey initiating a whirlwind of activities!  The classroom buzzed with a medley of adventures exploring different nursery rhymes while developing their mark-making escapades to kaleidoscopes of colour identification all wrapped up in the engaging magic of imaginative play. 

In EY2A, nursery rhymes took centre stage transforming daily introductions into lively oracy skill builders, linking actions to reinforce oracy while developing communication and social skills.   

EY2B on the other hand, took the spotlight to introduce fresh new nursery rhymes such as "Hickory Dickory Dock," adapting them to their current project, promoting boundless creativity and imagination.   

EY2C revisited previously learned nursery rhymes and invited families to participate in the Music Garden session where the parents witnessed their impressive memory and recall skills.  

EY3A turned nursery rhymes into a vibrant performance art, constructing cardboard boats and clocks for an enchanting stage display.  

EY3B, with a dash of story map magic, dissected the narrative of "Wheels on the Bus," honing critical thinking skills and peeling back the layers of its story.  

EY3C donned crowns and stepped into the world of "Jack and Jill," a tale that unfolded through creative play, enhancing language and social skills. 

In EY4A, children learned two songs - "Three Little Fishies" and "Little Sailors Who Went to Sea." Transforming the Music Garden into a stage for confident performances.   

Miss Tanis added a cultural touch with a traditional Welsh nursery rhyme, "Mi Welais Jac y Do,"  which translates to “ I saw the jackdaw” sharing a piece of her childhood and rich Welsh folklore.

In EY4B, the focus song for the week was "Oh Oh Volcano," which erupted around the class with key vocabulary for their project-based learning on "The Seven Continents."  

EY4C, the children embarked on a whimsical journey with the nursery rhyme "Jack and Jill." They learned the song and read the "true" story of Jack and Jill, rewriting the tale with an alternative conclusion. The children brought the story to life by acting it out in the communal area using the crowns they made as props.

World Nursery Rhyme Week was an excellent way for our nursery community to explore the world of nursery rhymes. Through the melodic rhythm of songs, the enchanting narratives of stories and the expansive canvas of drama, our children experienced a holistic educational journey that mirrors Huili’s commitment to creating a caring, bilingual community. The emphasis on nurturing social and emotional growth, language and communication skills, aligns with our vision to inspire our children to be the best version of themselves, to take pride in where they come from and to be the change they wish to see in the world. 

This connection exemplifies our school's dedication to inspiring children. As we reflect on the success of World Nursery Rhyme Week, we acknowledge its resonance as a testament to our ongoing commitment. Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate the next instalment, where we will once again relish this collaborative engagement. This celebration not only reinforces the global significance of World Nursery Rhyme Week but also underscores Huili Nursery Hangzhou's dedication to providing a comprehensive and culturally rich educational experience for our pupils.