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Buzz-in-a-Box

Education and Child Development Through the Arts

Buzz-in-a-Box: Buzz Kidz's latest innovation: An online platform that helps teachers use the arts to bring play into the classroom—no arts training needed. It offers video-led, curriculum-linked resources like modern, original educational songs, interactive activities using drama & movement to boost learning, focus & joy. Designed for diverse learners, it saves prep time while making teaching fun.
HundrED 2025
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Overview

HundrED has selected this innovation to

HundrED Global Collection 2025

Updated April 2025
Web presence

3

Countries
Teachers
Target group
We help all teachers—not just arts-trained ones—teach through play using music, movement & storytelling to keep children—especially the neurodiverse—engaged while developing their future skills. We reduce teacher stress, save prep time & align to curriculum with ready-to-use, joyful content. Since 2013, we have designed & deployed arts curricula—now using our expertise to empower everyday teachers

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

We created Buzz-in-a-Box (BIAB) after 10+ years of delivering our in person, Education IN Arts programmes, via teams of facilitators, to 100s of schools, We evidenced that drama, music & movement undoubtedly develop children’s 21st-century skills & social-emotional learning. Research echoes this: arts exposure help children thrive.

Our innovation, BIAB, brings that benefit (previously reserved for the Creative Arts lesson) into everyday teaching: learning is transformed

Teachers are overwhelmed & under-resourced with no time or tools to plan embodied, playful lessons.

Since 2013, we have offered in-person teacher training on how to use the arts to bring PLAY, boosting engagement, discipline & learning. into EVERYDAY classrooms.

BIAB does this at scale. We use tech to train the teacher, the child has a screen-free, embodied exchange with their teacher. Better for early learning

BIAB is also in response to the rise in medicating children for not sitting still. The isn’t always a learning disability—it’s often a teaching one. Children learn best through play until at least Grade 4—yet most classrooms look like lecture halls.

BIAB puts simple, creative teaching tools into teachers’ hands. It’s low-cost, aligned to learning themes, equipment-free & inclusive. Children—especially the neuro-diverse: more engaged & successful. Teachers = less stressed, more confident & reconnected to their purpose. This is learning through play—through the arts. Education THROUGH the arts.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

BIAB is a digital handbook for educators, of 0-9 y/old children, who log in, select the grade & topic they're teaching & are directed to a dedicated webpage, featuring short, easy-to-use audio & visual tools to up-skill the pedagog, incl: video demos of fun, educational movement & story-telling activities. The teacher watches & delivers (in person) to class. Each activity is rooted in pedagogy, with deeper reading available. Additionally, there are fun, catchy, original educational songs crafted specifically for each learning topic, encapsulating all the key info about the topic. Content aligns with various countries’ national curricula & frameworks like IB, Montessori, & Reggio Emilia, & supports neurodiverse learners.

Unlike most Edtech platforms, BIAB isn’t designed for teaching reading / maths. It supports teachers in delivering subjects like science, geography, history (referred to as life skills), with the added benefits of vocab development, SEL, & general knowledge.

The BIAB METHOD teaches in a STYLE that AI can not. Through: creativity, collaboration, and communication which develop these future skills in children. They don’t get screens—they sing, move, imagine, & connect. This balance—screen for prep, body for learning—is a powerful model for the future of edtech.​

“My students have shown real academic & social progress—and I’ve saved hours of prep. I no longer need to search for fun, curriculum-linked activities—Buzz-in-a-Box has it all.”

How has it been spreading?

Over the past year, Buzz-in-a-Box has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its user base twentyfold. This surge is attributed to strategic partnerships and the platform's adaptability to diverse educational contexts.​

In South Africa, Buzz-in-a-Box has been adopted by several legacy schools and the country's largest private school network, integrating seamlessly into their curricula. Internationally, pilot programs have been initiated in Kenya and the United States, aligning the platform with their respective national curricula. These adaptations have facilitated the platform's entry into new markets, demonstrating its versatility and global appeal.​

Buzz-in-a-Box continues to empower teachers and enrich student learning experiences worldwide.

"Buzz-in-a-Box has truly transformed our classroom! The children are absolutely captivated by the engaging songs and lively movements, which have made learning both fun and effective. It's incredible to see how much they enjoy and benefit from the interactive approach. Buzz-in-a-Box has become an essential part of our weekly routine, and the positive impact on our students is undeniable. Their enthusiasm and participation have soared, making our classroom environment more dynamic and exciting than ever before. We couldn't be happier with the results! – Danica Bellingan, Grade 1 Teacher, Pinnacle College Founders Hill

How have you modified or added to your innovation?

Buzz-in-a-Box has evolved significantly over the past year. Initially focused on the Foundation Phase (Reception to Grade 3, ages 5–9), we've expanded to cover the entire preschool (ECD / Kindergarden) spectrum, tripling our content offerings. This expansion provides educators with a more comprehensive resource, aligning with diverse educational needs.

We actively engage with our teacher licensees through visitations and regular surveys, gaining valuable insights into what works and what doesn't. This feedback loop allows us to iterate swiftly, enhancing the platform's usability and impact on children's learning experiences.

To accommodate the educational landscapes of Kenya and the United States, we will continue to adapt our content to align with their national curricula and thematic requirements. These modifications ensure relevance and compliance with local standards, facilitating smoother integration into new markets.

Our commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to educator feedback has been instrumental in our growth, reflecting our dedication to delivering effective, play-based learning experiences globally.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

https://buzzkidz.org or
https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzzkidz/?viewAsMember=true
https://www.instagram.com/buzzkidz/
reach out to The Buzz Team on info@buzzkidz.org or
Hanneke Mackie, hanneke@buzzkidz.org.

Impact & scalability

HundrED Academy Reviews

Buzz Kidz enhances education through drama, dance, and singing, benefiting over 300,000 children by fostering creativity and 21st-century skills in an engaging, playful manner.

By offering both digital and physical resources, Buzz Kidz can reach a wide audience, including those in remote or underserved areas. Digital resources can be scaled with relatively low cost, while physical toolkits can be distributed.

- Academy member
Academy review results
Impact
Scalability
Exceptional
High
Moderate
Limited
Insufficient
Exceptional
High
Moderate
Limited
Insufficient
Read more about our selection process

Media

Picture taken at a underserved school in Zonnebloem, Cape Town. Learning that is fun is learning that lasts!
Children buzzing in school as a part of learning. Embodied, learn through play through the arts! Here we are learning an educational song
Buzzing through the Buzz Foundation. Learning that is fun is learning that lasts! Learning that is fun is learning that lasts!
The children at Pridwin - a boys' school in Johannesburg, South Afirca, beig led through an imagination adventure with drama based games. Teacher Miles is doing the set up here.
The Role of Art in Early Childhood Development. - Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu
Hanneke is interviewed on our national radio station, South Africa. https://omny.fm/shows/the-jet-set-breakfast-1/thought-leader-on-child-development-and-education
Hanneke wrote an article for South Africa's biggest online newspaper about arts and education integration https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/columnists/guestcolumn/opinion-why-ministers-gwarube-and-mckenzies-mou-is-a-significant-step-in-the-right-direction-20241023
This photo is of local school children in the rural, economically Northern Cape, South Africa, buzzing. Look ta the JOY on their faces. They are immersed in the imagination adventure.
Children buzzing in school as a part of learning. Embodied, learn through play through the arts! Here we are doing character play!
Buzz Kidz: Why are you excited to be in our Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program?
Sneak peek Buzz in action!
The incredible Secret to Equipping Your Child For a Future In The Context Of World With AI | S4 EPS 92 - Meg Faure
Show more

Implementation steps

MARKETING / APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDING
Buzz-in-a-Box is expanding rapidly through a dual approach: commercial licensing and nonprofit outreach. We engage school leaders via conferences, panels, and thought leadership to demonstrate the value of creative, embodied learning. For schools with resources, we offer affordable teacher licenses. Simultaneously, our nonprofit arm, the Buzz Foundation, fundraises to provide free access to underserved schools, ensuring equitable educational opportunities.
ONBOARDING
We onboard schools by securing annual licenses for their teachers, granting access to our proprietary content and learning materials. Each teacher receives a unique username and password to monitor usage. To ensure effective implementation, we provide comprehensive online sessions and ongoing support, guaranteeing that all educators are fully trained and confident in utilizing the Buzz-in-a-Box platform.
TRAINING
We conduct in-person or online training to help teachers understand how to personalize and maximize our resources. Recognizing that some educators may initially feel hesitant to embrace playful, arts-integrated methods, our sessions use practical examples to build confidence and comfort with the platform. This ensures teachers are fully equipped to deliver engaging, creative learning experiences.
IMPLEMENTATION
Teachers use Buzz-in-a-Box weekly, following structured, curriculum-aligned activities that replace much of their planning. While the platform provides clear guidance, educators are encouraged to infuse their own creativity, adapting activities to suit their classroom dynamics. This flexibility fosters a more engaging learning environment. Our team remains available to support and answer any questions, ensuring teachers feel confident and empowered. Teaching and learning is improved!
SURVEYS, ITERATE, IMPROVE
We regularly engage with schools to observe teachers using BIAB in action, gathering feedback from educators & school heads to assess its impact on learning. Online surveys are utilized, especially for those we cannot reach in person. This continuous feedback loop informs our ongoing enhancements to the platform's content & technical features. Our commitment to refinement ensures schools not only renew their licenses annually but also contribute to our expanding network of engaged communities

Spread of the innovation

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