St Patrick's Day

KIDSPACE is going GREEN on Thursday 17 March for St Patrick's Day. Wear something GREEN and come and join in the fun!

A new home for Murphy?

Jojo died last week (of old age) and since then the children have been missing her and talking about her. For many of the children, this has been their first experience of death. The children learn a great deal when caring for pets especially when they can pat them.

Ann has some baby guinea pigs that she is seeking homes for. She has brought them into KIDSPACE several times now and the children have enjoyed cuddling them. We would love to have a replacement for Jojo and possibly a young rabbit that we can train to be handled by the children as Murphy runs free and is not impressed with children crowding around him. We feel that Murphy is too old to introduce young pets into his environment so we are looking to see if we can find him a new home.

If you know of anyone who would provide a kind, caring home for Murphy, please talk to one of the teachers.

Irene

Haere mai Shaydn

We welcome Shaydn and whaanau to KIDSPACE. Shaydn has formed a fast new friendship with Theo. He also enjoys outside play, painting, carpentry and playing with the large 'Shrek' soft toy (which he also has a special toy of at home). Haere mai Shaydn.

Ice Age

These are our brave (and well dressed) 'ice and frost finders'. Together with Charlie, Donnagh, Eneri and Rionagh we found frost on the water trough lid and ice in the pot plant trays.

We talked about frost, how it is cold and made of water. Also about how it could be found in the shade where no warm sun had yet been. Donnagh said "oh yea, we have frost on our lawn at home". Charlie and Eneri drew shapes in the frost, Eneri commenting "my finger is frozen!" then they all, with Rionagh joining in sampling the frost and went on to find and eat ice in the pot plant trays and reels in the sandpit also.

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

Jessie

Baby Reef for Taylah and Marley

Today Marley and Taylah's new baby brother Reef was born at 11.15am and at 3pm he arrived at KIDSPACE with mum and dad to meet his older brother and sister.

Marley squealed and danced around in huge excitement, while Taylah beamed only like an older sister can and closely studied his feet, skin, toes, ears and lips.

Jessie

Gifts From Jessie

Yesterday, we had a really cool time exploring the new Rocket Balloons that Jessie had bought in for the children. We all had a turn at blowing up our individual balloon and running around the yard before letting them go. The thrill of hearing the high pitched whistle as they soared into the air was obvious from the laughter and the constant asking, "when is it my turn".

We continued with this fun experience until we began to get low on balloons due to some exploding, and others flying over the fence or becoming caught in the trees, much to the amusement of all.

All of the children, with support from teachers, were able to wait their turn and to take enjoyment from watching their friends have a go. These children are developing an appreciation of the ways in which they can make contributions to groups and to group well-being.

Monica.