Boogie, oogie

Yesterday Debbie set up the ipod outside and offered the children a range of musical instruments to experiment with music and movement. Max, Paige and Jaz made the most of this experience. They started off by following the words of the song with actions then got really creative by incorporating the musical instruments and their own kani kani (dance) movements. Jaz has the cutest little wiggle. It is great to observe Max settling into the KIDSPACE environment and having the confidence to get involved and have fun.

Rie

Red Nose Day

Click on photo to enlarge.

Red Nose Day is a national fundraising campaign that celebrates our communities, embraces the light-hearted Kiwi culture, and supports children across New Zealand. A simple idea created over two decades ago, the campaign encourages everyone to let go, laugh, and be silly...all for a serious cause.

On Friday 15th July it was Red Nose Day in New Zealand. As part of celebrating and drawing awareness to the day, I got the laptop out with the children, and googled the trademark Red Nose song. "You make the whole world smile with your little button nose". Starting off with just Jaz, Emily and Rionagh many more children came over and showed an interest and were asking questions. We were listening and watching the song sung by Anika Moa. When the song finished, the children kept asking for it to be played again and again. We then got the red face paint out and painted our little noses red! The children had so much fun!

Ainslee

Making music, music, music

Click to enlarge

Tamara

The interest continues

Napier Cental School Visit

Last Tuesday (24th August) Napier Central School orchestra and choir visited KIDSPACE! About 50 students attended with the ochestra setting up their wide range of musical instruments on the deck, while the choir waited and watched by the sandpit until it was their time to shine! The KIDSPACE kids sat excitedly on the obstacle mats and grass, watching and taking it all in. Some of the big school kids had a turn to stand up and speak briefly about the musical instrument they were playing. The orchestra played 5 pieces of music for us. All the children in the orchestra all played an important role. The KIDSPACE kids and teachers clapped when they finished and were eagerly waiting for the next one. The choir were up next, singing a range of high and low pitched songs, plus some songs with lead singers singing in the microphones. Some of the KIDSPACE children joined in by doing quack quack actions to one of the songs. Netana was excited to see his big sister after the concert, who played in the orchestra. The attention of the children was really good, as they sat and observed for about half an hour. A very well put together performance.

Ainslee

Teihana the Michael Jackson groover

Teihana had lots of fun this afternoon dancing to Michael Jackson, check out her great dancing skills, she too like Rionagh has fantastic rhythm and free movement

Rionagh in the groove

Last week Rionagh showed a keen interested in dancing so I captured this video. Then on Friday when I was in the office I heard that Rionagh continued to do more dancing in the art room creating a crowd around to watch her dancing skills. She shows great rhythm and co-ordination with her body. Rionagh is confident in movement and dance and often will participate in dancing when ever she can, she has a real ear for the music and timing.

Sorry it's upside down

Tamara

I love to play the ukelele

Keita has a big interest in the ukelele's at the moment. She will often look up at the stand on the wall and make noises and point, indicating that she wants it down. When Keita gets it, I encourage her to sit down with it so it doesn't get knocked around. Most of the time she happily does this. In these photos were singing a song together. Keita sung so confidently, making lots of little noises. She really has lots of joy as she plays with the ukelele, struming the strings up and down. A few days after these photos were taken, I got the guitar down and played some cords and strummed and Keita smiled at me and she strummed the ukelele alongside me.

Through this experience Keita is experimenting with music and sound. She is developing a sense that music can illuminate, excite, amuse and delight.


Tamara

Future buskers here we come

Kian and Donnagh both had their ukeleles they were sitting down having a jam session, the first song they sung was 'Old McDonald had a farm' they sung about sheep, chickens and dogs, then they changed some of the words like 'Old McDonald had a Kian ei ei o, then it was Rionagh then Donnagh. The next song Donnagh sung was a solo "I dunno oooo why does love do this to me I dunno I dunno". Check out the videos.

Through this experience Donnagh and Kian are being self expressive, they are showing increasing confidence in singing and being playful.

Tamara

Giant's Breakfast song video

Here is a video of the children doing the actions to the Giant's Breakfast song. I'm sure you've probably heard them singing along to this song at home.

Tamara

The giant woke from his giant bed

Tamara

KIDSPACE waiata

Tune- I'd Love to Teach the World to Sing.

We are the kids of KIDSPACE
We love to laugh and play
We are the kids of KIDSPACE
We have fun throughout the day

Ko maatou ngaa tamariki
o Te Matauranga, e
Ki te mau Te aroha, me te Takaro
Ko matou ngaa tamariki, o Te Matauranga e
Ki te mau Te Aroha, i ngaa wa katoa.

Composed by Monica, and Paul Blake

Kicking off New Zealand Music Month

As part of New Zealand music month we have invited different musicians to KIDSPACE to share their various talents with the children. Today, Jess' husband Paul brought in his guitar and harmonica and played for the children out in our sunny garden. To begin with Paul played some tunes by Neil Young and Bob Dylan. I doubt these were recognisable to the children but they still had them clapping and clicking along. After this Paul got into some "real music", with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Happy Last Day, and Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes becoming the hits of the day. Paul had the children all up dancing and moving around. This was a great experience for the children and a perfect opportunity to support New Zealand Music Month by getting a taste of some fantastic live Kiwi music! A big thank you to Paul for taking the time to come and share his passion with all of us at KIDSPACE!

Jess

Te Reo Maori Waiata

I introduced three Te Reo Maori songs to our tamariki about three weeks ago. The children have been practising and practising the words and the tunes at group times, before kai and spontaneously through the day. The three songs we have been singing are "Tapa toru, tapa wha", "E noho, E noho" and "Tahi, rua, toru tamariki". These are small action songs with a funny tune, and are easy to learn.

Today, Jessie was taking group time, singing the new songs with the children, and I recorded all their wonderful singing. Tapa toru, tapa wha is the song that they have really got the grasp of quickly. Isaac and Eneri quite enjoy the tahi rua, toru tamariki. I often see Eneri really focusing on counting with his fingers as well as singing. Sophia, Kian and Sarah have got the hang of Tapa Toru tapa wha, and are confident in singing the words and making the shapes with their hands at the same time.

Here are the words to the songs, so please feel free to practice yourself or with your children, or even join in when you are hearing us sing these at KIDSPACE.

Tahi, rua, toru tamariki

Tahi, rua, toru tamariki

Wha, rima, ono tamariki

Whitu, waru, iwa tamariki

Tekau nga tamariki e

E noho Tamariki

E noho, e noho, tahuri te waka

E noho, e noho, tahuri te waka

E noho, e noho, tahuri te waka

E noho! Tahuri te waka

Tapa toru, tapa wha

Tapa toru, tapa wha

Tapa toru, tapa wha

Tapa toru, tapa wha

Porohita nui

(To the tune of 'happy birthday to you')

Ainslee

Rionagh the music maker

Little Rionagh has been busily making music this morning. She has been experimenting with the noise of the instruments, as she banged, hit, clapped and dropped them .... very noisy and of course very fun!!!

Xmas Concert

Jase Hema the Storyteller

At 10am this morning for 20 minutes we had Jase and his guitar with us. We learn the long sounding Maori vowels a, e, i, o and u. Then Jase helped us learn the song "Uupoko, pakihiwi, puku, hope, waewae (head, shoulders, tummy, hips and legs)" then Trya added we say 'maahunga for head' and Jase commented 'ka pai'. Next was the parts of our face with "taringa, whatu, ihu, waha (ears, eyes, nose and mouth)". Jase said the boys could stick their arero (tongues) out at the end, but not the girls because they are being beauitful.
Jase told us the legend of Pania of the Reef and we all looked and listened with open taringa and waha.
We thanked Jase by singing him Hokey Tokey in Maori and he joined in with his guitar, we also gave him a koha, of petrol vouchers-a thank you gift for his time and for passing on his knowledge to us. Jase will visit again.
photos by Rie. Jessie

I can play music

"The Ants Went Marching..."

Click on the arrow below to view movie (Monica)

"A cuddle is something if you give it away..."

"A cuddle is something if you give it away, give it away, give it away, a cuddle is something if you give it away and it comes right back to you.."

Then we sing about a kiss (blowing kisses, kissing on cheeks or back of hands).

We also sing about a 'smile' making sure all teeth are shown so smiles are genuine.

Look at all of the participation, singing and actions going on!

"Children are able to express spontaneous affection to one or more of the people with whom they spend a lot of time", Belonging, Te Whaariki.

Jessie, filmed by Sarah B