Saigon Kids Early Learning Centre

This week we asked the children what they liked to play outside, their responses were~
“ I like to make fairy houses outside, and leave gifts for the fairies.” ~ Koda & Katie
“I like to ride my bike fast!” ~ Ly
“ I love playing kitchen outside with Emma.” ~ Bella
“I like finding hidden things in the sandpit.”~ Lev
“ I like sliding the cars on there, they go down down down so fast!” ~ Yoma

These outdoor moments show that play is a child’s most natural "language" for figuring out how the world works. Whether they’re testing the speed of a car or dreaming up stories for fairies, they are using different ways to research, experiment, and express their ideas. We believe this self-directed play is where the real learning happens, proving that children are capable of building their own knowledge. By following their lead, we celebrate the "hundred languages" they use to grow and discover every day.

Saigon Kids Early Learning Centre is in the heart of a high-density urban city. We have curated and created natural play spaces where children can connect with the real world.
Nature isn’t just beautiful, it is the 'third teacher'. It encourages self-regulation through calm, sensory-rich environments and strengthens the immune system by supporting healthy gut bacteria.
By engaging with nature daily, our children grow healthier, happier, and more resilient, even in the bustle of city life.
The natural world inspires a profound sense of awe and wonder. Whether it’s the intricate patterns of a leaf, the sudden appearance of a ladybug, or the way sunlight filters through the canopy, these moments ignite a child's innate curiosity.

We are thrilled to share the final highlights from our Interactive Museum Art Exhibition! The Penguin Class invited us into a magical forest of folklore, inspired by stories shared by our parent community. From the Norwegian tale of Clause Climbermous & the Hucky Bucky Forest—complete with handmade mouse and fox hats and shadow play—to the Russian story of Kolobok, guests were fully immersed in the world of storytelling. The children transitioned from kneading dough to sculpting clay pinch pots, even inviting parents to contribute a folktale from their own heritage.

Meanwhile, the Ladybirds transported us to a prehistoric world. Visitors explored the children's interest in symmetry through vibrant paintings and a massive, hanging cardboard dinosaur that was covered in collaged fabric. For a truly multi-sensory experience, families could scan a QR code to hear the children’s best recorded dinosaur roars. We are incredibly proud of all our children at Saigon Kids who helped create such a memorable experience for our community.

Step Into the Zones!

What an incredible event celebrating our children’s year-long creative journey. Our Eagles Class and their team transformed the upstairs of Saigon Kids into an interactive museum, connecting their Zones of Regulation silhouettes with the four elements: Water, Earth, Air, and Fire.

The exhibit showcased incredible work by the children: visitors scanned QR codes while going up the stairs to hear the children discuss their emotions as they admired their silhouettes. They then stepped into immersive worlds to experience the elements from the inside out. The class got very technical, even including foil pads that played poetry recorded by the children when stepped on, while a video of the children performing a fire dance played in the background. A community I-Spy game encouraged everyone to look closely at the details hidden within the artwork. Everyone was so impressed and immersed in the mini-worlds the Eagles created.

We are so proud of our Eagles! They showed us exactly what children are capable of when given the space to lead. 💡✨

A sneak peak into the first half of our interactive art museum exhibition.
Our community recently gathered to celebrate a year of artistic discovery in an event co-curated by the children. By selecting their own process photos, artworks and designing interactive elements, the children took true agency over their creative journey. Showcasing the image of the child as capable and competent.
Featured displays include the Eagles Eye-Dentity entrance, the Pomelo Spiral and Architecture, a celebration of Legacy via the Art Play & Inquiry book, the Little Lambs sensory mobiles, and our school-wide Butterfly Wall.
We see the "hundred languages" of children come to life. This exhibition is more than a display of art; it is a testament to the child as a researcher and a citizen with the right to be seen and heard. As you explore these spaces, we invite you to look beyond the final products and witness the dialogue between the children and their world—a dialogue rooted in wonder, connection, and the beautiful complexity of their learning.

We are incredibly proud to host our Interactive Art Museum Exhibition, celebrating the vision and hard work of our children, a lot of it curated by them. This isn't just a gallery—it’s an immersive world they’ve built for us to experience their art projects and play in.

We can’t wait to see their creativity come to life.

🎓 Alumni: If you would like to join us for this event, please send us a message for details.

Our Tet celebration was a mix of colour, culture, and community. From the beautiful blossoms to the spirited laughter of the children, music and dancing, the energy of the Horse is truly alive in our school.
Wishing all our Saigon Kids families a prosperous, healthy, and high-energy New Year! ✨

As the country prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year - Tết, so too do the learning experiences. Not only are we connecting to local cultural traditions, like preparing, serving, and tasting traditional foods, but we are also making lucky red envelopes (Li Xi) and practising the art of calligraphy as we write wishes for the New Year.
At Saigon Kids, we believe that real and meaningful learning opportunities happen throughout the school, not just in the classroom. The Tết celebrations offer a holiday break and some of the children will travel to visit family or enjoy the city's festivities, carrying home the cultural traditions and pride they’ve practiced here with us.

More beautiful images from the book, Art Play & Inquiry: The Why, What and How of Visual Arts Education with Young Children. Photographs taken by Carolyn Prawius.
Written by G*i Lindsay, Sarah Probine, Rachel Denee, and Denise Savins.

To learn more about the book click~ https://url-shortener.me/A16U


To purchase: https://url-shortener.me/A16O

A little sneak peak! ✨
We are incredibly honored to announce that photographs from the Art Studio have been published in the stunning new book, Art Play & Inquiry: The Why, What and How of Visual Arts Education with Young Children.
Written by G*i Lindsay, Sarah Probine, Rachel Denee, and Denise Savins, this resource features 19 images from Saigon Kids Early Learning Centre, taken by Carolyn Prawius & Denise Savins.
A heartfelt thank you to G*i and Denise for recognizing the beauty and potential in our students’ creative journeys. 💛🧡💛

Keep an eye out for the book in stores and online:
Purchase: https://url-shortener.me/A16O

Learn more:
🔗 https://ecartoz.com/2025/10/07/art-play-and-inquiry-the-why-what-and-how-of-visual-arts-education-with-young-children/