On the 5th of January we had just a small group of children at KIDSPACE, so Ainslee, Kerry and Rochelle took Shaydn, Lyrique, Jaz, Aimee, Mollie, Jorja and Akasha for a trip into town! We packed morning tea and headed down to the bus stop. Our first stop was the Napier Library were we enjoyed our morning tea under a shady tree, waiting excitedly for the Council Chambers to open. Just before 10.30 we made our way up stairs and lifts, ready to watch Zappo the Magician!! We found a good spot, in amongst other children, parents and families. Zappo had lots of funny things to show and tell. He had a parrot puppet and told stories. Zappo invited some children one at a time up the front to play little tricks on them as well. His last trick was to cover a rabbit hutch with 'magic blankets' and after he said a spell, and pulled the covers off, there was a little fluffy rabbit! Shaydn, Jorja, Lyrique and Mollie were so intrigued and interested and were watching and listening all the way through. Jaz, Aimee and Akasha (the younger children), sat very well, and enjoyed being in the atmosphere of things and watching different people interact.
After the show had finished, we headed over to the Marine Parade playground, where we had our lunch from our lunchboxes and a big drink of water. We had a big play on the playground afterwards as well! Slides, tunnels, swings, ladders kept the children energised and happy! After we packed up from the park, it was nearly time to head back to the bus stop. But not until we had stopped for an ice cream at Lick-it!. The children chose their flavours and we sat outside in the sun eating ice creams before heading back on the bus.
Children develop interest and pleasure in discovering an unfamiliar wider world where the people, images, objects, languages, sounds, smells and tastes are different from those at home (Belonging, Te Whariki).
Ainslee
