At LANNA, we believe that learning thrives when it extends beyond the classroom and into the home. One of the best examples of this is the story of Max, a Year 1 student whose classroom drawing sparked an exciting family project—one that brought his imagination to life in a truly inspiring way.
A Classroom Creation That Sparked Something More
During one of his classes at LANNA, Max’s teacher provided different references and asked students to choose to paint. Max chose a dinosaur and elaborated on his drawing to turn it into a Dinosaur Pencil Pot Holder! When he brought his drawing home, his parents were immediately struck by its three-dimensional effect, excellent sense of color and harmonious proportion.
“I thought it was very good! When I showed it to my husband, we were both so impressed with how good it was,” Max’s mother shared.
This admiration for his work led to an idea: What if they could bring Max’s drawing to life in a tangible way?
Turning a Drawing into Reality
Max’s parents wanted to show him how much they valued his creativity.
“We asked Max, ‘Do you like your painting?’ He said, ‘Absolutely! I love it.’ So we talked to one another, ‘Should we try to make it real? Should we turn it into a pencil holder?’”
What started as a simple way to celebrate their son’s creativity quickly turned into something bigger. The first prototype was just for Max, but when professional designers saw it, they were impressed.
“We received great feedback from the company producing it. People started asking about it—who designed this? What’s the brand? Friends loved it, so we made more!”
Encouraging Creativity at LANNA
The process of turning Max’s drawing into a real product was more than just a fun project—it became a learning experience for the whole family.
“Max was involved from the very beginning,” his father explained. “He had a say in the colour, length, size—every time we had a sample, we’d ask for his opinion. Even the logo was designed with his input! His ideas mattered at every step.”
This level of encouragement is something Max’s family has felt throughout their time at LANNA.
“His creativity has always been encouraged, and his confidence has grown because of it. Every time I meet with his teachers, I get a detailed update on his progress. Ms Jenna, for example, not only praises his work but also explains why it’s good. That has taught me how to talk to Max about his creativity and how to encourage him.”
Strengthening the Parent-School Connection
At LANNA, we recognise that a strong partnership between parents and teachers plays a crucial role in student success. Max’s mother credits the school’s open communication with making a real difference.
“Every day, we receive updates from teachers, and I truly feel that LANNA takes care of our children. From Pre-Nursery to Year 1, every teacher has talked to me about the importance of emotions. Because of this, I know exactly how Max is doing each day, and that helps us communicate at home. He’s even better than me at expressing himself now—he loves talking!”
A Lesson in Creativity, Confidence, and Teamwork
The journey of turning Max’s drawing into a real product wasn’t just about making a pencil holder—it was about teamwork, creativity, and perseverance.
“Our friends have seen Max’s progress, and it’s made them think more about how to strengthen their relationships with their children. Even small projects like this can be powerful bonding experiences. It was a challenge for Max to see the production process through, but it showed him that while something may be difficult, it’s not impossible. And that’s a lesson for all of us.”
At LANNA, we don’t just nurture creativity within the classroom—we help foster meaningful connections between school and home, ensuring that learning is a collaborative, inspiring journey for every student and their family.