The Learning Cocoon

The Learning Cocoon™ was created for early years and lower primary teachers looking for practical, engaging, and ready-to-use classroom resources. The aim is to support busy educators with materials that are not only easy to implement but also aligned with how young children learn best.

The Learning Cocoon was created by Danica Ugalino Harvey, a passionate early years educator who believes that learning should be clear, creative, and meaningful. Her teaching style blends structure with flexibility, balancing routines and expectations with playful, hands-on activities that spark curiosity. Danica values independence, student voice, and inclusive classrooms where every child feels seen and supported. Differentiation is at the heart of her teaching, and this is reflected in the resources she creates. Whether it's a phonics game, a visual anchor chart, or a goal-setting tool. Every resource from The Learning Cocoon is designed to help teachers feel more confident and prepared, while making learning enjoyable for young children.

Danica Ugalino Harvey, the creator of The Learning Cocoon, holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and two master’s degrees—one in Early Childhood Education with a major in Special Education, and another in Instructional Technology. She is also trained in curriculum design and is currently completing the Google UX Design Professional Certificate, which strengthens her ability to create user-friendly, visually clear, and well-structured resources for teachers and students. Her academic background brings together child development, inclusive education, technology, and design, allowing her to create practical, engaging, and thoughtfully designed materials that work in real classrooms.

Danica has spent most of her teaching career in international schools in the Middle East, where she has taught in both American Common Core and Cambridge Early Years curriculums. Working with students and families from a wide range of cultural and language backgrounds has shaped her approach to be inclusive, flexible, and supportive of English language learners. Her classroom experience has taught her the importance of using clear visuals, simple instructions, and differentiated activities—core features of every resource in The Learning Cocoon. Whether it’s for phonics, math, or classroom routines, her materials are designed to meet the needs of global learners in real, everyday classrooms.