Silent reading

Yesterday on the deck outside Mania and Libby decided to spread out a blanket (table cloth) when it began to rain. Netana had just been drawing on his art folder with Mania so joined her to put out the books on the blanket and take a seat. Mania read out loud telling stories from the pictures. Netana listened and looked at Mania's book, also turning the pages of his own picture book.

"The programme provides frequent opportunities for children to make their own decisions and be self-reliant", Belonging, Te Whaariki.

Jessie

Tamara

New addition to Harry's family

Tamara

Welcoming Charlotte to KIDSPACE

Charlotte has been busy getting to know the teachers and the KIDSPACE environment. She displays such a great smile showing off

all her wee teeth. Sometimes she's a little bit upset then heads towards the teachers for a cuddle and security, knowing that we are there for her when she needs us. Charlotte has also had an opportunity to get into the sandpit digging her toes through the sand and using the bucket to fill it up. She has also enjoyed stories and being sung to.

Tamara

CHIPMUNKS

Today was a wet rainy afternoon so the children decided we should put on some music to dance to inside. The music chosen by the children was the chipmunks C.D. which is a very popular movie amongst the children here at KIDSPACE.

This video shows Maia, Caelyn, Eneri and Isaac being creative and expressive through the art of dance (Te Whariki, Communication, Goal 4).

Sarah

 

Muckin' about in the swing!

Issac and Theo had a busy and active day outside today, enjoying the outdoor environment, and having fun playing along side one another. Later in afternoon, they jumped in the barrel swing and wanted me too push them. While I had the camera out, taking photos, they started pulling funny faces and doing funny moves. So I went with it, and took photos in between pushes. The boys thought it was so funny. Its nice when children can just have a laugh and be silly through their spontaneous play. "Children develop a growing recognition and enjoyment of 'nonsense' explanations and and experiences" (Te Whariki).

Helicopter song

After our Tango dancers' performance on Friday we danced in the art room using scarves, first to the 'Crazy Frog song' then to Chopper, Chopper in my Helicopter'. We moved our scarves in big movements to be the helicopter blades and turned in circles. Here Harry, Sophie, Charlie, Max, Eneri, Isaac and Theo move their scarves to the music with Rie.

"Children develop confidence that they can participate and take risks without fear of harm", Well-Being, Te Whaariki.
Jessie

Art Deco Week- Argentine Tango

On Friday to end our week of all things Art Deco James and Irene danced the Argentine Tango for us. In full 1930's tassels, jewels, braces, hat, tie and heels they danced around our art room floor. We were all very impressed and a few teachers a little moved by the music. The children clapped and a few whistled to show their appreciation at the end. Once our dancers left we had morning tea then danced on the blue lino floor ourselves inspired by our earlier Art Deco performers. Well done James and Irene.
Jessie

Welcome Teihana

We welcome Teihana and her whanau to KIDSPACE. Teihana has had a very busy first couple of weeks. She has enjoyed building with our building blocks, watching our fish, experimenting with sand and water, having lots of cuddles and making many new friends. She is also very physically active and enjoys climbing and crawling. Today Teihana loved listening to Maia and Charlie tell the story of The Three Little Pigs.

See you soon!

Hi everybody, from Monday the 22nd of February I will be on my 4 week teaching practice at another centre. Thank you all so much for all your support and for welcoming me into your children's lives. I have really enjoyed getting to know you all and I am looking forward to the rest of the year. I will be trying to pop in as much as I can over the next month, but for everyone that I don't see, I will see you all in 4 weeks, totally inspired and full of new ideas!

Welcome Luke

On Wednesday we welcomed Luke to our KIDSPACE whanau. Luke has been settling in well and has been keeping himself very busy. This morning he danced up a storm after Irene and James gave us a brilliant tango demonstration, and this afternoon he has been working very hard producing some amazing artwork. Luke has also really enjoyed keeping active and challenging himself in our outdoor environment and, along with Jack, has taken a special liking to Murphy our resident rabbit.

A huge welcome to Luke and his family. We hope you find your time with us here at KIDSPACE rewarding and FUN!

February 2010, Jess.

Happy first birthday Rionagh

Tamara

Art Deco dress-up day and trip into town

Well what a great day that was had by all. As we waited patiently for the bus, we got lots of toots , stares and honks (even by an ambulance driver, the children liked this). When the bus came it was quite full, we were almost told we would have to wait for the next one, our faces dropped! But James managed to get us on. Once the passengers from the go bus realised, some of them decided to stand up and kindly give their seats up for the KIDSPACE children and teachers, how kind of them. Some of the little people weren't to sure of the bus ride at first but they soon got used to it. Once we arrived in town we all split up into our little groups to go and discover what art deco style was all about. I think one of the favourite things to see was the new art deco statue outside the Unichem Pharmacy. The children had such a great time, I recall Harry saying as we were almost in town "I'm happy about this aye", I then said , "happy about seeing the art deco buildings?", Harry replied "yes". Well I must say to all our families your children were so wonderful to take on this trip, they did so WELL! They listened to the teachers which is so important (especially when on a trip), they explored, communicated ideas, took an interest, expressed feelings and had a really fun exciting time. Check out all the different groups photos and what they saw on their walk. A very special thank you to Mairin for coming along to join us, it was nice to have you with us. We would happily receive any comments on the blog to hear what all of the KIDSPACE whanau think of the clothing, trip and photos etc.

Tamara

Tamara

Tamara

Tamara

Tamara

Tamara

Art Deco Week- face paint

After lunch we looked at books on Napier Art Deco buildings and architecture. Then we mixed up pastel coloured face paint and Jessie painted Art Deco shapes and patterns on our cheeks. Here you will see Taylah, Jessie (Sarah painted my face), Donnagh, Eneri, Sarah, Theo, Caelyn, Maia, Isaac and Charlie all saying 'Art Deco' for these photos. Jessie

Art Deco Week- Ginger Gems

Today we mixed up and baked Ginger Gems, cooking the mixture in very hot gem irons. Donnagh, Kian, Noah, Taylah, Oly, Jack and Harry helped and Luke watched. We used eggs, sugar, flour, butter, golden syrup, milk and baking soda. During the afternoon the gems were glad wrapped up to go home at the end of the day. Ginger Gems are a very old fashioned recipe.

Jessie

Art Deco Week- Lally's visit

As part of our Napier Art Deco week Jess arranged for her 90 year old grandmother Lally to come and visit us. Lally was a young school girl when the big 1931 Napier earthquake hit. She showed us pictures of old buildings, explained them shaking, and of how people felt frightened inside their houses. Harry commented out loud "that's not very good". Eneri remember after Lally's visit that she talked about the earthquake and falling down, about shakes and that she showed books and pictures. Charlie shared Lally told us of people running down to the beach taking all of their stuff and chairs with them. Taylah recalls all of the stuff falling down, because it was an earthquake and that the men and boys where all wearing hats.

Lally helped our children to listen, learn, question and process more information about Art Deco Week. "Children develop awareness of connections between events and experiences within and beyond the early childhood education setting", Belonging, Te Whaariki.

Jessie

Feeding the worms

Helping feed the Worms

This afternoon, our worms in the worm farm needed replenishing with food. Harry and Sarah were the first two too put their hands up and help with feeding. They both slipped a glove on to their hand to assist with mixing up the food and dirt. Harry was fascinated by the slaters and insects crawling around on top, when we uncovered it. Harry spent a considerable amount of time here... watching and observing the process, and hunting and digging to the bottom to find worms to hold and look at it. What great helpers and little investigators I had :)

Ainslee

Art Deco Week- playing marbles

Today we had a go at playing marbles from the 1930's. Firstly taking turns to roll one marble into the circle to knock as many marbles as we could out to then keep in our hands. Mania, Taylah, Caelyn, Mollie and Eneri show how it is done. Eneri won with first game with a total of five marbles. The second game we played blind folded and Taylah won this with six marbles in total. We selected coloured marbles, took turns, and learnt a new game.

Jessie

Art Deco Week- Bardowie

This week we are taking part in Napier's Art Deco week activities. We have planned new, different and old favourties such as outings, games, visitors, dressing up, books, art and baking also conversations on what this is all about and why it is special to Napier. Today Kian, Mania, Libby, Caelyn, Maia, Donnagh, Ruby, Taylah and Mollie walked with Jessie, Jahanara and Monica to Bardowie. We sang songs, they requested 'Wheels on the Bus' and 'Incy Wincy Spider' then Peter demonstrated his yodelling. When we walked around the room to talk to people and look at their costumes Margaret showed us her Fox fur. It had two heads and one head had an opening and closing mouth. A few children were unsure, then quickly laughed as Margaret made the Fox head talk. On leaving Peter taught us a new song "to sing to your mums and dads tonight", he said.

"There is a little bumble bee sitting on a wall,

buzz, buzz and that was all".

"Children develop knowledge about he features of the area of physical and or spiritual signifiance to the local community", Belonging, Te Whaariki.

Jessie

Farewell from The Brothers whanau

Dear Kidspace Friends & Whanau,
We would like to take this opportunity to thank KIDSPACE for everything that you all have given to our 4 children who have attended.
Sharn now (9yrs) started in 2002 when she was 2yrs, having come from Kohanga Reo everything was so new & brilliant, warm and inviting! Riana started late 2002/ early 2003, Sadly Riana passed away on 27th Oct 03 17mths old, she absolutely loved KIDSPACE & the teachers at the time were Joy,Leigh Leigh,Yvonne,Jo. Then the twins blessed us Elijah & Laker started in 2005 and now they are off to Onekawa School. Thank you so much Irene & James you have created an environment of warmth & love and have given all our children a truly balanced & inspirational foundation that they will need for their wonderful start to their long lives.
We hope to come back to Kidspace one day NOT with our any more of our own children!! But maybe our Grandchildren, just not too soon.

Water slide construction

Look how busy Kian, Caelyn and Oly were in the sand pit yesterday. It all started with digging holes in the sand then moved on to construction of a water slide using lots of different pipes and the hose. I found it really interesting listening to the children discuss how to go about their task. They showed great perseverance. Activities such as this allow children to actively explore and make sense of their world using their bodies, tools and equipment. Rie

Farewell Louise

Last Friday we all sadly said farewell to our friend Louise

we gave her a wee present and a card painted by Caelyn then the children and teachers sung her "happy last day".

Thank you Louise for all your input at KIDSPACE we loved having you.

We wish you well on your new adventure and we will see you around i'm sure.

Tamara

Mania's first day at KIDSPACE

Ainslee