Socialising in the sandpit

Ainslee

Dye dropper

I had set up an art experience in the art room, Zoe was busy with box construction then a little bit later she came over and asked what I was doing, I replied, "I'm just getting the dye pots out". "I wanna do one", she said. So I got a piece of paper for Zoe, at first she was a little unsure how to use the squirt droppers so I showed her how it was done. Zoe then had a turn, it took a few tries then she got the hang of the technique. Zoe became very concentrated on what she was doing carefully choosing her colours then skirting them onto different areas of her paper. I could see that Zoe really enjoyed this creative experience, part way through her picture she said, "Look at my picture", showing how impressed she was with her work.

This art experience allows Zoe to be self expressive, she is developing her fine motor skills by grasping the dropper then squeezing it to get the dye onto her picture. She was able to communicate to me that she was unsure how to use the dropper showing problem solving skills, then I was able to teach her how to use them.

Her picture is in her profile book if you would like to see it.

Tamara

A train without rails

This day is filled with fun when most of the KIDSPACE children experienced a train journey unexpectedly. They got ready to take their turn to enjoy a long trip along the stoney pavement.

But among the stones the train ceased to move. There was serious discussion on it for about five minutes. Soon they reasoned a train needs rails to run on. Donnagh and Joshua got out to remove the stones from under the wheels. All became happy when the train started to move again. Mohanan

Matariki screen printing

Today was the perfect opportunity for the children to do some Maaori inspired screen printing for Matariki week.

The children looked through books with korus and other Maaori art works. After looking Caelyn and Maia then drew and cut out their own shapes.

"I am going to make a zig zag, like in this picture", Maia was telling me. After carefully drawing and cutting out their patterns, the children then placed their patterns where they wanted them to be on their piece of paper.

"I would like the red first, but not to put on all of it", Caelyn told me as she was setting up her picture.

The children spread the paint over their picture, and then re-laced their cut outs to make another pattern. They then chose another colour and repeated the process.

Rochelle

Balloon balls on loan

A BIG thanks to Netana, and his mum Kath who works for Volleyball Hawke's Bay for kindly loaning us these balloon balls. We have had a great time throwing, rolling, kicking, bashing, batting, pushing and sitting on these balls inside over the last few wet rainy days.
Jessie

Bubber play

This is our Bubber, it feels like Pascall Eskimo lollies and is often mistaken for play dough. It is made in Sweden and offers great texture, manipulation and investigation experiences with hands, eyes and for language also.

Mania, Alana, Netana, Acacia and Caelyn all have a go, expressing their ideas, exploraing and gaining confidence in the control and use of their bodies.

"Children develop the knowledge that playing with ideas and materials, with no objective in mind, can be enjoyable, creative and a valid approach to learning", Exploration, Te Whaariki.

Jessie

Torch day for Earth Hour 2010

It was dark at KIDPSACE on Friday, we had our lights out, curtains closed and windows covered. We used torches to see and were practising for Earth Hour 2010, on Saturday 27 March- a World Fund For Nature (WWF) international campaign, with an important message about saving power and reducing our impact on the environment. Across the world, lights were dimmed on great monuments such as Egypt's Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum in Rome. We would love you to comment on our whaanau blog which lights you turned off at home on Saturday.

Jessie

Special events

What a busy time it is. Saturday was International Cultures Day- 'you won't have to travel far to experience cultures from all corners of the earth', Sunday was National Children's Day, theme Praise and Encouragement and this week is Sea Week- 'One ocean, it starts with me, Kotahi moana, ka timata mai i ahau'.

We would love photos of your children and whaanau joining in and enjoying any of these events to talk about here at KIDSPACE and maybe put on our whaanau blog.

Jessie

Its a Messy Business

Lately there has been a very strong interest in messy play within KIDSPACE . The children are offered a diverse range of experiences and Max H, Rory, Noah, Paige and Rionagh were very eager to take part on what was available one day last week.
Noah and Rory enjoyed the wonderful texture of the cornflour goop, scooping large amounts of it with their hands and forming large piles in the trough.
Max initially chose to paint using brushes, but then discarded his brush in favour of a real hands on approach, covering them and rubbing them back and forth and around the paper. Rionagh, after trying her hand at painting with brushes, chose to take on a more tactile approach, also using her hands to explore this new medium before covering most of her face in black.
It was not long before Paige and Noah noticed what Rionagh was doing,and obviously thinking it was a great idea, did exactly the same.
Although a very messy experience, messy play provides great learning opportunities for children. Not only is it loads of fun, but the children are developing the knowledge, that trying things out, exploration, and curiosity are important and valued ways of learning.

Monica