Good Friends the tamariki's perspective

Our children have definitely got it sorted about being a good friend. Their contributions at a mat time discussion confirm it. We are so proud of them and they role model our good friends policy every day seeking help when they need it..which isn't very often as they are very articulate at expressing their thoughts, ideas and feelings. What a great place to be!

Our visit to Rhode Street School

We visited Rhode Street School today. We learnt about the things that happen at school and we had lots of fun exploring the junior playground with some of our old and new friends at school. Miss Ryan and her class were so welcoming. We always enjoy our visits to the 'big' school.

Parachute Fun

The parachute is a favourite with children and staff. It is always a noisey and fun time. The parachute is a wonderful cooperative activity requiring all the children's participation to manage the parachute. It is a wonderful tool for engaging the children who may be a little whakama (shy) during mat times.

Under the microscope

Our Digiblue microscope is wonderful because it allows the children to observe objects, insects, spiders and other creepy crawlie creatures in minute detail. It is interesting what children do notice and how they perceive things. Living and moving creatures under the microscope have the ability to capture children's attention for longer periods of time than inanimate objects. Our seemingly lifeless bald caterpillar came to life and Elijah, being familiar with 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' story by Eric Carle, was able to use his knowledge of what caterpillars eat to excite the wee fella into moving.

Remember our links!

Just a wee reminder to you that we have 6 other useful blog sites attached to our main blog that we have constructed. These can be found on the right-hand side of our home page under the heading Curriculum Links. Click on the green links to get to the curriculum blog of your choice.

Please take a look and feel free to suggest other ideas for these sites either by leaving comments or by talking to staff.


Curriculum Links

• Adventure Bear
• Creative Expression
• Habits of the Mind and Your Child's Learning
• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Transition to School
  

We love your feedback and want to make these sites work for you and your child.

Kia ora
Staff

Kia ora everyone

I just thought I should write to you all to explain the process I have gone though while doing this blog on the children and their adventures with Adventure Bear (Addy).

Three times a week I have been choosing a child that has been displaying 'being a good friend', helping to tidy up without having to be asked, or just something that reinforces being part of a team at the kindergarten.

When the children come back in the morning with the camera and Addy, I take the time to sit somewhere quiet and listen and document the child's voice. Once I have all the information I need I then move to the next step. I print the photos out and put them all into a scrap book that the children have decorated. The scrap book is accessible to the children so they can be looked at whenever they want to. This is all then posted onto Adventure Bears Blog that you can access from the kindergarten blog. Check it out. Thanks for your support.

Bye for now Tiffany (student)

Allie and Juno Visit

Today we were lucky enough to have Kaia and her mother bring in their much loved family pets, Allie the lop eared rabbit and Juno the guinea pig.
Claire, Kaia's mum talked to us about what Allie and Juno eat, and showed us how Allie likes to be held - Upside down with her feet in the air! She likes to be held tightly like a baby on her back, then she closes her eyes and goes to sleep. She is such a beautiful rabbit and so placid, letting all our children give her a cuddle while she lay on her back. Juno was a bit more timid, Jo held on to him while the children gave him a little pat so that he didnt get to frightened being introduced to so many children at once.

Thank you very much Claire, Kaia and Che for bringing in your very special family members, we enjoyed having them here and all the cuddles we got to give them.

Abby.