Seasons of Wonder: December

Creating, Exploring and Making Something Special

There is something truly special about receiving a handmade gift from a child. Whether it’s a painted decoration, a piece of artwork or wrapping paper covered in colourful patterns, these creations are full of personality and imagination.

But for children, the real magic lies in the process of making them.

Throughout December, our nurseries will be embracing festive creativity as children experiment with colours, textures and materials to create decorations, cards, wrapping paper and gifts for someone special.

These experiences provide much more than a festive activity. Painting, sticking, threading and using age-appropriate tools help children develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, building foundations for later skills such as writing and drawing. Choosing materials, exploring different techniques and deciding what to create also encourages independence, problem-solving and creative thinking.

Most importantly, there is no single right way to create something. When children are given the freedom to experiment, make choices and follow their own ideas, they can develop confidence in their abilities and take pride in what they have achieved.

We’ll be sharing a behind-the-scenes look at these creative moments, celebrating the process just as much as the finished creations, including the wonderful messiness that comes with exploring something new.

Stories, Songs and Traditions That Bring Us Together

Christmas is full of familiar stories, much-loved songs and traditions passed between generations. For young children, these shared experiences can play an important role in developing communication skills and building a sense of belonging.

Listening to festive stories introduces children to new vocabulary, characters and ideas, while encouraging them to listen, ask questions and use their imagination. Repeated phrases and familiar storylines can help children anticipate what happens next, join in with storytelling and develop an early love of books.

Singing together offers its own learning opportunities. Songs with rhythm, repetition and actions can support children’s listening, memory, language development and coordination, while creating joyful opportunities to connect with others.

Traditions are equally valuable. Sharing experiences that are familiar to children, while discovering how other families celebrate, helps them recognise that everyone has their own special ways of marking this time of year. It creates opportunities to talk about family life, listen to one another and appreciate different experiences.

This December, our nurseries will be bringing these traditions to life through Christmas story sessions, festive singalongs and opportunities for children to share the songs, stories and celebrations that are meaningful to them and their families.

We’d love families to be part of the experience, too. What is your favourite Christmas story? Is there a song you sing every year, or a special tradition you look forward to sharing with your children? We’d love to hear about the traditions that make this season special for your family.

Discovering the Joy of Giving

For young children, understanding the idea of giving can take time. In the early years, children are still learning to recognise emotions, understand other people’s perspectives and navigate relationships with those around them.

December offers gentle, meaningful opportunities to begin exploring these ideas. Making something for another person, helping to prepare a gift or thinking about how to make someone smile can encourage children to consider others and begin to understand the feelings associated with kindness and generosity.

These experiences are not about expecting children to put others first all the time. Instead, they help build the foundations of empathy through practical, age-appropriate experiences, supported by caring adults who model thoughtfulness and kindness in everyday life.

This month, our nurseries will be exploring the spirit of giving through activities such as creating cards for residents at a local care home, contributing to a reverse advent calendar or making thank-you gifts for the people who make a difference in their lives.

Whether children are choosing an item to donate, creating a picture for someone special or helping to prepare a small gift, these moments can help them discover that giving is about the thought and care behind an action, rather than its size or value.

They also provide opportunities to talk about the people who help us every day, from family members and friends to the wider community, encouraging children to notice and appreciate the relationships around them.

Making Memories Through Shared Experiences

One of the most important parts of the festive season is the opportunity to spend time together. For young children, feeling safe, included and connected to the people around them supports their emotional wellbeing and helps them develop confidence in social situations.

At nursery, shared experiences such as creating decorations, singing familiar songs and preparing something for another person help strengthen relationships between children and practitioners, while giving children opportunities to work alongside their friends and celebrate what they have achieved together.

These moments also remind us that every child experiences Christmas differently. By making space for different family traditions, interests and experiences, we can help every child feel valued and included in the celebrations.

Bringing the Magic Home

Families can continue these experiences at home in simple ways, without needing elaborate crafts or expensive activities.

You could read a favourite festive story together, invite your child to help decorate the home, sing a familiar song or make a handmade gift for someone special. Talking about the people you are making something for, what they might enjoy and how it might make them feel can help children begin to connect creativity with kindness.

You could also introduce a family tradition of your own, or invite your child to share something they have enjoyed at nursery. These small moments create opportunities for conversation, connection and shared memories.

As we celebrate December at Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, we look forward to seeing the imagination, curiosity and kindness shining through everything the children do.

Because the magic of the season isn’t just found in the finished decorations or the presents waiting to be opened. It’s in the stories we share, the skills children discover, the relationships we nurture and the thoughtful moments that help them learn, grow and feel part of something special.

Share your festive moments with us using #SeasonsOfWonder. We’d love to celebrate the creativity, traditions and kindness making this December memorable across our Monkey Puzzle community.

This December, our nurseries will be getting involved in activities such as creating cards for a local care home, preparing a reverse advent calendar, or making thank-you gifts for people who matter to them. We’ll be sharing the kindness behind these activities, and what they’ve meant to the children taking part, because even the smallest gestures can leave the biggest impression.