The winning team from My First Skool at 51 Fernvale Link receiving the award on May 10. Photo credit: Lianhe Zaobao

The teachers and children at three My First Skool centres clinched the top, third and Commendation awards at the 10th anniversary of ‘Thumbs Up Little Junior’ Nursery Rhymes Competition. Taking place on May 10 at the SPH Media Auditorium, the competition drew a record-breaking 921 entries, the most in its history.

Coinciding with Singapore’s 60th year of independence (SG60), this year’s competition showcased nursery rhymes with topics and themes related to local life. Among the 12 finalists, the nursery rhymes featured Ramadan bazaars, durians, kampong scenes, and traditional breakfasts – all rich in Singapore flavour.

The performers wore beautifully crafted children’s costumes, and the stage also featured props that matched the themes of the songs, such as paper-made toast and cardboard living room furniture. The scale of the competition has far surpassed that of the inaugural event held 10 years ago.

My First Skool at 51 Fernvale Link was awarded first place with their entry ‘Confused Grocery Shopper’.

The nursery rhyme tells the story of a child who goes to the market but cannot distinguish between different vegetables, resulting in funny mix-ups like buying napa cabbage instead of regular cabbage, mistaking radish for zucchini, stink beans for string beans, and sweet potatoes for potatoes.

Chinese teacher Ni Xuejing, who wrote the song, said that she had personally experienced buying the wrong vegetables.

“It’s a slice of life. I thought I could draw inspiration from daily experiences and write a song that helps children learn the names of vegetables.”

This was her first time participating in the competition.

“There were other unexpected gains too. One of the students practised the nursery rhyme at home daily, and her two-year-old sister ended up memorising the whole nursery rhyme as well.

Speaking on the overall improvement in the quality of nursery rhymes, Dr Zheng Yingjiang, Principal Master Teacher at the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language said, “This shows that our children’s nursery rhyme competition has reached a peak. It’s especially meaningful in this SG60 year, as these songs show us children singing for Singapore.”

Media coverage

Lianhe Zaobao coverage of My First Skool (LHZB online – 10 May 2025)

Lianhe Zaobao coverage of My First Skool (LHZB print – 10 May 2025)