How our Early Learning centre brings movement, music and meaningful learning to life
At Learn and Laugh Marrickville, we believe children thrive when they are exposed to rich, varied experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence and strengthen their sense of belonging. Our incursions are an important part of this commitment — offering opportunities for children to explore new skills, connect with their peers and engage with the wider community in joyful, purposeful ways.
Across the year, our centre hosts a range of incursions tailored to each age group. These experiences are intentionally selected to support children’s development, wellbeing and interests. We started off with weekly Happy Feet incursions in each of our rooms, which the children were very fond of, but after a year and a half we thought the children might like a little change. At the end of 2025, our Children’s Council engaged in a meaningful decision‑making process: choosing whether to continue with Happy Feet (Music and Movement) or transition to a Sports‑based incursion for 2026. This moment was more than a simple vote — it was a clear demonstration of children’s agency, their growing interests, and the value we place on listening to their voices.
Throughout the final term, educators intentionally created opportunities for children to reflect on their experiences, share their preferences and articulate what they wanted to see in the year ahead. Small‑group discussions, visual prompts and open‑ended questions helped children express what they enjoyed, what felt challenging, and what they were curious to explore next.
This process highlights our commitment to:
- Respecting children as active contributors
- Embedding agency and choice within our program
- Responding to children’s emerging interests
- Creating a curriculum that grows with them
Children spoke enthusiastically about movement, outdoor play and activities that allowed them to “run fast”, “play games with friends”, and “learn new sports”. Many shared that they loved the feeling of being active and working together as a team. Others reflected on their memories of Happy Feet, acknowledging the fun of music and dance while still expressing a desire for something “more sporty”.
While this decision was ideal for our older groups, we recognised that a Sports‑based incursion is not developmentally appropriate for our Nursery children. Their needs, interests and physical capabilities differ, and it was important to ensure they had an experience tailored to their age group. After reviewing options and considering what would best support their engagement, confidence and sensory development, we opted for Melody Mamas — a gentle, interactive music program designed specifically for younger children.
The move to a Sports incursion in 2026 is not just a program change — it is a celebration of children’s voices, their confidence in expressing themselves, and the collaborative culture we nurture at Learn and Laugh Marrickville.
Families have shared wonderful feedback about the impact of these sessions. One parent recently wrote:
“Just a quick note to say how awesome the sport sessions are on Friday for the junior room. It’s definitely one of T’s highlights of his week.
It’s clearly so good for them getting to try out a bunch of different sports and build different motor skills.
I know T used to really enjoy the song/dance weekly incursion in nursery too.
I think it’s so wonderful the centre is able to offer these special experiences for the kids, something other centres would never even dream of offering.
Killian and I often comment on the creativity and intentionality of the educators, such a wonderful team.”
This kind of feedback reflects what we see daily: children building confidence, strengthening gross motor skills and developing teamwork in a fun, inclusive environment.
Sports Frenzy: Movement, Confidence and Teamwork
For our Junior and Senior Preschool groups, Sports Frenzy has become a weekly highlight. Educators consistently observe how children light up during these sessions — running, jumping, balancing and trying new skills with enthusiasm.
Toddler at Sports Frenzy
Sports Frenzy supports children to:
- Build gross motor skills such as coordination, strength and spatial awareness
- Develop teamwork, turn‑taking and positive peer interactions
- Strengthen self‑confidence as they master new physical challenges
- Experience structured physical activity in a fun, inclusive environment
Melody Mamas: Music, Rhythm and Early Communication
Our Nursery children enjoy weekly visits from Melody Mamas, a gentle and engaging music program designed specifically for infants and toddlers. These sessions are filled with singing, movement, puppets and sensory instruments that support early learning in meaningful ways. The joy on the children’s faces during these sessions says it all.
Melody Mamas
Melody Mamas nurtures:
- Early language development through repetition, rhythm and song
- Emotional connection as children engage in warm, responsive interactions
- Sensory exploration using scarves, shakers and soft props
- Confidence and self‑expression, even for our youngest learners.
Energetic Minds: Child Protection Education
Each year, our centre welcomes Energetic Minds, two child protection incursion that delivers age‑appropriate learning about personal safety. These sessions empower children with essential knowledge in a safe, supportive and engaging format.
Energetic minds
Energetic Minds helps children:
- Understand safe and unsafe feelings
- Learn simple, clear protective behaviours
- Build confidence to seek help from trusted adults
- Strengthen their awareness of personal boundaries
This annual incursion is an important part of our commitment to children’s wellbeing and safety.
Happy Feet: A Much‑Loved Program
In previous years, Happy Feet brought dance, movement and imaginative storytelling to our centre. The children enjoyed the lively sessions and creative themes. While Happy Feet is no longer part of our 2026 program, it remains a valued part of our history — and its transition out of the program was guided by the children themselves through our Children’s Council.
This shift highlights the importance we place on children’s agency, ensuring their interests and preferences shape the experiences we offer.
Our incursions are more than just fun activities — they are thoughtfully chosen experiences that support children’s holistic development.
Across all age groups, incursions help children:
-
Happy Feet
Strengthen physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills
- Build confidence by trying new things in a safe environment
- Develop relationships with peers and educators
- Experience community connections beyond the centre
- Engage in learning that is hands‑on, meaningful and joyful
Most importantly, incursions allow children to explore who they are, what they enjoy and how they learn best.
The positive feedback we receive from families reminds us how meaningful these experiences are. Parents notice the growth, the excitement and the stories their children bring home — and their appreciation reinforces the value of what we do.
At Learn and Laugh Marrickville, we are proud to offer incursions that enrich children’s learning, honour their interests and celebrate the creativity and intentionality of our educators.
