Why Child Development Must Be Centre Stage

Early years learning

September 03, 2026 // Franchising.com // When it comes to early years learning, what children are doing in a class is only part of the story. The real value lies in what they are developing along the way, from communication and confidence to coordination, independence and social skills.

And the world they are growing up in has changed massively over the last few years. Technology, communication, the way we play, learn and interact, and the expectations placed on children today have all evolved at pace. That means we cannot simply continue teaching in the same way we always have. If the world is changing, our approach to teaching the youngest generation must evolve with it.

At Razzamataz, we’re putting child development firmly at the heart of our refreshed Tots programme for little ones aged 2-3, ensuring every activity has a clear purpose and supports the skills young children need as they grow.

Whether children are singing a song, moving to music, listening to a story or creating something with their hands, these activities can support important areas of early childhood development. The key is making that learning feel like fun. When children are engaged, curious and enjoying themselves, they are more likely to explore, participate and build confidence along the way.

This is why the Razzamataz team of Early Years experts have carefully designed sessions that help children develop communication, coordination, creativity, concentration and social skills, often without them even realising they are learning. It is about creating the right balance: learning with purpose, delivered through play, creativity and fun.

The refreshed programme introduces new themes and activities designed to keep sessions engaging, age-appropriate and relevant to children's development. Importantly, Razzamataz is also making the learning journey much clearer for parents, helping them understand exactly what their child is developing through their weekly performing arts class.

“We never want our Tots programme to stand still,” says Denise Gosney, founder and managing director of Razzamataz Theatre Schools. “The early years are such an important stage of a child's development, and as an organisation we have a responsibility to make sure our programme continues to reflect what children need at this stage of their lives.”

Rainbow skills development

At the heart of the refreshed Razz Tots programme are six key areas of development, known as the Rainbow Skills. Each theme has been carefully designed to support these areas, helping teachers understand the developmental purpose behind every activity while giving parents a clearer picture of what their child is learning.

Gross Motor Skills Building strength, balance, coordination, movement and spatial awareness through activities such as dancing, jumping and moving to music.

Fine Motor Skills Developing the small muscles in the hands and fingers through activities such as drawing, cutting, sticking, manipulating objects and using props.

Communication & Understanding Supporting language, listening, vocabulary, following instructions and the ability to communicate with others through songs, stories, rhymes and interaction.

Cognitive Development Encouraging concentration, memory, problem-solving, curiosity and the ability to understand and respond to the world around them.

Social & Emotional Helping children develop confidence, self-expression, turn-taking, cooperation and the ability to recognise and manage their emotions.

Personal Growth Encouraging independence, resilience, creativity, decision-making and a positive sense of self as children become more confident in their abilities.

One of the key changes to the Razzamataz Rainbow Skills programme is a greater focus on clearly identifying the developmental purpose behind activities and communicating this to parents. Teachers are also being more specific about the skills they are teaching within each session, creating a stronger connection between the activity and the relevant areas of Early Years development. This means parents can better understand that a game or a song that’s a particular favourite is helping their child to develop strong skills that they will need as they grow.

“It may look like they are simply stamping their feet in time to the music, but we know they are developing skills that will support them in starting school and beyond,” adds Denise.

Refreshing the Tots programme aims to keep it relevant to today's families and to evolve alongside the needs of children. Having programmes that remain fresh, purposeful and clearly useful is seen as an important part of sustaining ongoing offerings. Parents want to know that the classes they choose offer genuine value for their children, while educators need products that can be confidently delivered and supported year after year.

The refreshed Tots programme creates greater alignment with the Razzamataz Minis product, supporting continuity as children progress through age groups. This can help explain the progression and the value of the activities to families.

While the new Tots programme is built around clear developmental outcomes, the real measure of its impact is what parents see in their children. For many families, the changes go far beyond what happens during the weekly class, with increased confidence, communication and independence becoming part of everyday life.

But don’t just take our word for it. Phoebe’s parents say she was “very shy in front of anyone” before joining Razzamataz. Since attending Razz Tots, they have seen a remarkable change in her confidence, with Phoebe going on to take part in school nativities, perform in Razzamataz shows and even take the lead role of Mary.

“Her self-confidence, positivity and ability to be in front of a crowd are directly from Razzamataz,” they say. They also highlight one of the most important aspects of the Tots experience: that Phoebe genuinely enjoyed learning. “We loved the fact Phoebe really enjoyed it and looked forward to going. She would be very excited about what she would be learning and dancing and singing to.”