Once upon a time — not so long ago and just around the corner from home — our ChildSol classrooms transformed into gateways to magical kingdoms. Every table became a forest clearing, every carpet a castle courtyard, and every child a daring hero ready to leap into a new adventure.
Our theme invited the children to journey deep into the realms of Books & Fairytales, where every story whispered secrets, every character taught a lesson, and every page promised wonder. The excitement was visible the moment children arrived: wide eyes, curious hearts, and voices buzzing with guesses about the magical stories we would explore together.
From the very start, the learning felt alive. The children were not merely listening to stories — they were stepping inside them. They tiptoed alongside fairies, bargained with dragons, laughed with mischievous animals, and cheered for brave heroes and clever princesses. They discovered that every story has a path, every character has a journey, and every ending has meaning.
Why Fairytales Matter
Fairytales have travelled from generation to generation, living longer than any castle wall could stand. They may be filled with princesses, giants, and magical spells, but beneath the sparkle lie powerful lessons about kindness, courage, honesty, and hope.
At ChildSol, we treasure these stories because they offer children a safe space to explore big ideas. Fairytales let children imagine what bravery looks like, consider how to make a kind choice, or wonder why a character might feel sad, excited, or afraid. These reflections help children understand themselves and others, giving them gentle guidance for real-world challenges.
When a teacher begins a story with the unforgettable phrase, “Once upon a time…”, something beautiful happens. Children lean forward. Their minds open wide. In an instant, imagination takes the lead.
A Day of Enchantment: Magical Minds at Work
One of the highlights of the week took place when children gathered closely around their teacher for story time. As the book opened, silence settled across the room — the kind of warm, eager quiet that comes when little hearts are ready to listen.
With every turn of the page, the fairytale world blossomed. Characters leapt from the story as though the children could touch them. As they listened, they imagined themselves wandering through glowing forests and soaring above mountains on the backs of friendly winged creatures.
It was lovely to see how deeply they connected with the tale. Some children whispered predictions to their friends. Others looked carefully at the pictures, examining every detail to understand what might happen next. Each child, in their own way, was building an inner world — a world where anything was possible.
This magical moment was more than play. It was a powerful learning experience. Through the story, the children developed early comprehension skills and broadened their vocabulary. They learned how a story unfolds — how characters change, how settings shape a tale, and how every moment leads to something new.
Growing Through Stories
Throughout the week, we noticed how stories encouraged the children to speak freely. After listening, many were eager to share how they felt about the characters and events. They compared their ideas, explained what they thought the characters were feeling, and even imagined what they themselves would have done in a similar situation.
These conversations are at the heart of language development. When children talk about what they hear, they learn how to express their thoughts clearly. They begin to understand how to describe emotions, explain choices, and recognise different perspectives.
We watched as children bravely offered ideas. Some imagined that they would help a lonely dragon find a friend. Others said they would climb the highest tower to help a princess escape. One child said they would give a clever fox a warm coat so it would not be cold in the winter forest. Each idea revealed imagination and kindness — qualities we nurture every day at ChildSol.
The children also learned about feelings. When a character felt nervous about a tricky challenge, they understood. When a character felt proud after being brave, they celebrated too. Through these emotional connections, children develop empathy — the ability to understand how others feel. This is a powerful skill that helps them build strong friendships and communicate with confidence.
Listening, Predicting, and Understanding
Although the stories were filled with magic, much of the learning came from simple acts of listening. As teachers read aloud, the children practised following the flow of language, recognising characters, and making sense of events.
Listening is a deeply important skill for young learners. It helps them pay attention in class, follow instructions, and engage with the world around them. In story time, listening becomes an adventure. Children listen not because they are told to, but because they genuinely want to know what happens next.
Predicting the next part of the story became a favourite activity. Some imagined a fairy appearing to save the day. Others believed a mysterious twist was coming. These predictions encouraged children to think critically, consider possibilities, and build an understanding of story structure.
As they shared their ideas, children learnt how to support their thoughts — explaining why they believed a character might make a certain choice. This strengthened both communication and reasoning.
Characters Who Teach Us
Many of the characters the children met this week became fast favourites. Brave young heroes showed them that courage comes in all shapes and sizes. Clever princesses reminded them that wisdom and kindness can change the world. Talking animals demonstrated that friendship can be found in the most unexpected places.
As children explored the choices these characters made, they reflected on their own experiences. They wondered what it feels like to help a friend in need, to solve a tricky problem, or to take a chance even when they feel nervous. These reflections help build emotional intelligence — the ability to recognise and understand feelings, both in themselves and others.
Fairytales also reinforce moral values. Many children noticed that kind characters were rewarded, while unkind characters often learned lessons along the way. This gentle storytelling approach helps children understand the importance of positive choices without fear or pressure.
The Magic Beyond the Book
Even after story time ended, the magic continued. Many children carried the tales into their free play. They re-enacted scenes from the stories, pretending to rescue friends or outsmart giants. Some created imaginary worlds of their own — kingdoms full of dancing animals, sparkling rivers, and secret potions.
This kind of role-play strengthens creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. When children play together, they learn how to share ideas, negotiate roles, and collaborate to bring their imaginative stories to life.
We also saw children return to their favourite books, carefully turning pages and describing what they saw to their peers. These independent explorations help build confidence and familiarity with language — important steps on the journey to reading.
At home, some families shared that their children were excited to retell the stories they had heard. These retellings spark family bonding and help children make personal connections with the stories, transforming them into treasured memories.
A Love that Lasts a Lifetime
At ChildSol, we see stories as a doorway to lifelong learning. When children fall in love with reading at a young age, they carry that passion into their schooling and beyond. Books broaden their horizons, teach them new words, and help them understand people from different backgrounds.
We want every child to discover the joy of holding a book, turning its pages, and wondering what will happen next. We want them to feel empowered by stories — to see themselves as heroes capable of great things.
Through storytelling, children build confidence. They learn that their ideas matter and that their voices deserve to be heard. They grow into curious thinkers who ask questions, explore solutions, and embrace the beautiful worlds that books offer.
The Story Continues…
As we close the chapter on Books & Fairytales, we know the magic will linger. The stories we shared will stay in the children’s minds, ready to inspire new dreams, friendships, and adventures.
The dragons may return to their caves and the fairies to their gardens, but the lessons remain.
Be brave.
Be kind.
Be curious.
Believe in the magic within you.
At ChildSol, every story is a journey — one that builds imagination, adventure, and a lifelong love for reading.
And as all good stories remind us…
Happily ever after begins today.