A Holiday Club That Cares About Character

Instilling Values in Children at Hatching Dragons Holiday Clubs London

Raising a child is about more than academic success or extracurricular achievements—it’s about shaping them into kind, responsible, and resilient individuals - and that too through extensive holiday club activities.

At Hatching Dragons, we understand the importance of character education in early childhood development, which is why our Holiday Clubs in London integrate a values-based pedagogy into every activity.

Each month, we focus on a combination of various holiday club activity plans that branch into different moral principles, such as kindness, teamwork, or perseverance, making it the central theme of our circle times and activities. As a result these holiday club ideas and activities ensure that children not only learn these values but also practice them in real-life scenarios, fostering empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.

In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at holiday activity plans that corelate to character education; how we incorporate it into our Holiday Clubs in London, and the long-term benefits for your child.

Why Character Education Matters

Values-based education goes beyond academics to address the social and emotional development of children. Here’s why it’s critical:

• Developing Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions is a cornerstone of healthy relationships and personal success.
• Building Resilience: Teaching children perseverance and patience helps them navigate challenges with confidence.
• Encouraging Empathy: Learning to care about others creates compassionate individuals who value community.
• Fostering Ethical Thinking: Early exposure to moral principles helps children make thoughtful, ethical decisions.

At Hatching Dragons, we believe that instilling these values early sets the stage for a lifetime of positive habits and meaningful relationships.

Our Monthly Moral Themes

Each month, we focus on a different ethical principle, weaving it into our holiday club activity plans and discussions. Here are some examples:

1. Kindness

Teaching kindness is about more than saying “please” and “thank you”—it’s about fostering a genuine concern for others.

• Holiday Club Ideas and Activities:
  • Role-playing scenarios where children practice acts of kindness, such as helping a friend in need.
  • Reading stories that highlight the importance of compassion.
  • Creating “kindness trees” where children add leaves representing kind acts they’ve performed.

2. Teamwork

Teamwork is one of the essential holiday clubs benefits imparting different skills unto children such as, communication, collaboration & resolving conflicts.

• Activities:
  • Group projects, such as building a model or creating a mural.
  • Team games that require coordination and cooperation.
  • Discussions about how working together makes tasks easier and more enjoyable.

3. Perseverance

Our specialists execute different holiday club activities and plans that help to teach children how to persevere, develop resilience and confidence from a very early age.

• Activities:
  • Building puzzles or completing tasks that require patience and focus.
  • Sharing stories of historical figures who overcame adversity.
  • Encouraging children to set small, achievable goals and celebrate their progress.

4. Gratitude

Gratitude fosters a positive mindset and helps children appreciate what they have.

• Activities:
  • Creating gratitude journals where children write or draw things they are thankful for.
  • Hosting “thankfulness circles” during circle time to share positive thoughts.
  • Art projects, such as making thank-you cards for friends or family.

How We Teach Values Through Play

At Hatching Dragons Holiday Clubs in London, we understand that children learn best through play. That’s why we incorporate our moral themes into engaging, hands-on activities that encourage active participation.

• Storytelling: Stories with moral lessons help children understand abstract concepts like fairness or honesty.
• Role-Playing: Acting out scenarios gives children the chance to practice ethical decision-making in a safe environment.
• Collaborative Games: Holiday Club Activities that require teamwork and communication reinforce the importance of working together.

These methods make learning about values both fun and impactful, ensuring that the lessons resonate with children.

The Long-Term Benefits of Values-Based Learning

Teaching children moral principles at a young age has far-reaching benefits, including:

• Stronger Relationships: Values like empathy and kindness help children build meaningful connections with others.
• Improved Decision-Making: Understanding right from wrong enables children to make thoughtful choices.
• Greater Resilience: Learning about perseverance and patience helps children navigate setbacks with confidence.
• A Positive Mindset: Gratitude and optimism lead to a happier, more fulfilling life.

These skills and traits are not just beneficial during childhood—they form the foundation for success in adulthood.

A Day of Character Education at Hatching Dragons

Here’s what a typical day focused on a moral theme might look like:

• Morning Circle Time: Introduce the day’s theme with a story, such as a tale about a character showing perseverance.
• Mid-Morning Activity: Engage in a hands-on activity, like building a challenging structure with blocks, to practice patience and problem-solving.
• Lunch Break: Encourage children to express gratitude for their meal and the people who prepared it.
• Afternoon Workshop: Work on a group project that requires teamwork, such as creating a collaborative piece of art.
• Reflection Time: End the day with a gratitude circle, where children share what they learned and appreciated.

This structured approach ensures that values are reinforced throughout the day in meaningful ways.

Parent Testimonials

Our values-based pedagogy has had a profound impact on the families we serve. Here’s what some parents have shared:

• “My daughter has become so much more patient since joining Hatching Dragons. She even started teaching her younger brother how to wait his turn!” – Clara, Parent in Westminster
• “The teamwork activities were a game-changer for my son. He used to avoid group tasks, but now he’s the first to volunteer!” – Mark, Parent in the City

These stories highlight the transformative effects of character education.

Our Commitment to Ethical Education

At Hatching Dragons, we are committed to nurturing not just smart children but good children. By integrating values-based learning into our Holiday Clubs, we provide an environment where children can grow into thoughtful, compassionate individuals.

Our approach is about more than just teaching values—it’s about creating a culture where those values are lived every day. From the way we interact with children to the activities we design, everything at Hatching Dragons reflects our commitment to ethical education.

A Holiday Club That Shapes Character

Hatching Dragons Holiday Clubs offer more than just childcare—they provide a unique opportunity for your child to learn, grow, and thrive in a values-driven environment.

By focusing on moral principles like kindness, teamwork, and perseverance, we help children develop the social and emotional skills they need to succeed in life. These lessons don’t just stay at the Holiday Club—they carry over into the home, school, and beyond, shaping the next generation of empathetic and responsible leaders.

Join us at Hatching Dragons and give your child the gift of character education this holiday season.

Frequently Asked Questions - Holidays Clubs in London

What is a holiday club at Hatching Dragons, and what makes it unique?

The Hatching Dragons holiday club is a values-based childcare program that focuses on character development through structured activities. Unlike traditional holiday clubs, it integrates moral education into daily activities, combining fun with character-building exercises. The club implements monthly themes centered around values like kindness, teamwork, and perseverance, making it more than just a typical childcare service.

What types of holiday club activities and ideas are offered in the program?

The holiday club activities include:

• Role-playing scenarios focusing on kindness and empathy
• Group projects like building models and creating murals
• Storytelling sessions with moral lessons
• "Kindness trees" and gratitude journal activities
• Team-building games and collaborative workshops
• Puzzle-solving exercises to develop perseverance
• Art projects like creating thank-you cards

What are the main holiday club benefits for children?

• Development of emotional intelligence and empathy
• Enhanced teamwork and communication skills
• Improved resilience and problem-solving abilities
• Stronger decision-making capabilities
• Better relationship-building skills
• Greater self-awareness and confidence
• Long-term character development and positive mindset formation