Bella musuwan
And so, I was back here once again. As I patiently stood at the gates of my childhood kindergarten, a rush of emotions engulfed me like a tidal wave. From feelings of nostalgia to nervousness, I never thought that I would be back here again. The renovated buildings were a testament to the time that had passed, but the vibrant playground brought back past echoes of carefree laughter, memories of old friendships, and cherished experiences.
My name is Bella Musuwan, I’m 15, and I attended Noddy Playgroup in my early years. I then transferred to NIST International School where I’m now a highschool student. Currently, I’m proud to say that I perform well academically, continuously achieving academic excellence and effort awards. I also participate in various extracurriculars such as Varsity Fencing, Piano, and community service. This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Noddy’s summer program for almost two weeks. In this article, I’ll discuss my childhood experience at Noddy, and what I gained from revisiting their campus as an intern.

Choosing to do an internship at Noddy was a decision driven by my passion for working with children and my desire to contribute positively to their development. I realized Noddy was the perfect place where I could gain valuable insights and skills that would shape my personal growth, whilst giving back to the community that played a pivotal role in my childhood.
After completing the internship, I achieved several valuable outcomes that enriched both my knowledge and skill set. Firstly, I learned how to communicate effectively with young children. Understanding their unique needs, finding creative ways to engage them, and adapting my communication style were all essential skills I developed.
Moreover, the hands-on experience I acquired was incredibly valuable. Actively participating in team activities allowed me to witness firsthand how these activities facilitated the development of essential skills among the children, including decision-making, problem-solving, and resilience.
The internship at Noddy also broadened my understanding of child psychology and development. Seeing students progress from tearful first days to confident individuals was rewarding. A particularly impactful aspect was the teachers who display active listening, devoid of judgment, which not only exemplified respect for each child’s uniqueness but also bolstered each child’s self-confidence, an attribute greatly valued within Noddy’s nurturing environment.

After revisiting their campus for a total of 12 days, my perspectives about the institution have evolved greatly. What I initially perceived as a simple playgroup has transformed into a crucial stepping stone for childhood development, which has greatly contributed to my success today. By learning through play, Noddy fosters growth, meaningful connections, and a passion for lifelong learning. And Noddy continues to commit to this mission, a decade ago when I was a young impressionable child, and now, as I revisit their campus as my own distinct person.