Climbing, jumping and sliding on the deck

During our rainy days last week, the children enjoyed playing on the climbing blocks, slide and jumping mats. I captured photos of Paige, Marley, Scarlett, Anika, Ahlyna, Seth, Jaz, Milan and Max and Cleo challenging themselves on the obstacles, and working along side each other. There was a lot of encouragement for using paitence, turn taking and 'your words' as all of the children were so eager to have a turn.

It's important that children still have the opportunity to 'burn off some energy' on these rainy inside days.

Ainslee

Ruby's piglet and bear story

Ainslee

Messy play madness

Messy play is still a favourite here at KIDSPACE. Yesterday I made the cornflour and water gloop mixture, with purple dye. Within seconds of pouring it onto the table, Jack, Taneesha and Maia were sliding their hands through it. I sat down along side the children and explored the gloop with them. Ruby and Thadeus also joined the table at this time. 'Wow this stuff is cool", said Ruby. "This is the stuff that is hard and then goes soft and runny aye" said Jack. It was great to see the children initating interactions between themselves, particulary the 4 year olds, Jack and Ruby. They included Taneesha, Maia and Thadeus by talking to them about what they were doing, as well as being a role model. A favourite thing they like to do with the gloop is to grab a handful and then hold their hands up and let it drip from their hands on to the table. Jack started doing this, and everyone else followed. Ruby started a game by catching everyone elses gloop drips from their hands, and then everyone else joined in. Maia was really enjoying the feel of it, particulary smothering her hands with it and letting them soak in it. A fun time had by all, including myself!

Ainslee

Interest in literacy

Jack was very interested in writing numbers last week, his aim was to write from number one right through to one hundred. On this day Jack (ONLY?), had enough time to write to sixty nine, I thought this was very impressive. Rochelle and I worked closely along side him at different times throughout the day, when he asked for help. Jack has recognition of numbers and what they represent when spoken allowed. When I would say the next number is, let's say 27, he was able to listen to the number I said then write it down on his paper. This happened right through to double digits. Ka pai to mahi Jack!!! You are amazing, your love for learning and extending yourself really shows through. You showed such persistence to reach your goal. The very next day I observed you again writing your numbers, getting closer and closer to the big one hundred.

While Jack was working at the puzzle table, Lexi had sat down and chosen to work on the alphabet puzzle. Lexi asked if I could help her write her name with the pieces. I suggested she have a go first, then if she needed my help, I was right there. I watched as Lexi looked for the different letters of her name. She got a little stuck on finding the x so I showed her where it was, then Lexi found the i and successfully finished spelling her name. This puzzle has both lower and uppercase letters so I was able to talk about this with her in relevence with her name. Discussing with her that the first letter of her name L starts with a captial and the rest of her name is in lower case, then I talked about her last name having a captial letter also.

Jack and Lexi are showing familiarity with print and its uses through exploring and using literacy in meaningful and purposeful ways to them.

Tamara

Community Concert

After seeing a write up in the weekly paper about the Onekawa School holiday programme putting on a concert for invited guests, both Rie and Irene had the idea to phone up and see if we could get an invite for our children. It was agreed that we could attend their rehearsal. Although it was a very brief rehearsal, our children enjoyed the occasion of sitting on the tiered seating and later having their afternoon tea alongside the older children. We dodged the showers of rain and managed to stay dry getting there and back.

Let us entertain you

Lyrique loves to participate in socio-dramatic play, dancing and singing any opportunity she gets. The staff and children were treated to an impromptu concert, organised and choreograped by Lyrique. This demonstrates Lyrique's understanding that words, gestures and movement can be used to entertain others. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

New Wings

There has been a huge interest in the dress up and dramatic play areas at KIDSPACE lately.

On the weekend, I found some butterfly and ladybug wings that I knew the children would love dressing up in. Acacia wanted to be a lady bug and Isabella thought the pink butterfly wings were 'pretty'.

Mummies and babies, and caring for dolls is a huge part of the children's play. To add more realism to their play, I bought two little baby bottles. Emily found her baby straight away and said that she needed feeding.

Children learn empathy, caring, routines and imitation through role play, and mums and babies.

Ainslee

Invitations to neighbours

After lunch the older children with Ann, Mohanan and Jessie walked around our KIDSPACE community posting invitations in the neighbours letterboxes. We are inviting the neighbours to hear our Christmas songs and share morning tea with us, on Monday 6th December before our big children's Christmas concert on Saturday 11th December, at Onekawa Park.

Ainslee printed the invites on whero coloured paper and taking turns we all posted one into a letterbox.

A few children could identity the letters and numbers on the boxes and we talked of the numbers and colours of their home letterboxes too.

"Children develop skill in using the counting system and mathematical symbols and concepts, such as numbers for meaningful purposes", Communication, Te Whaariki.

Jessie

Learning our names in playdough

Extending upon the children's interest at the moment of writing their own names, I set up an activity at the playdough table, where I wrote out the children's names on pieces of paper. The idea of this activity is for the children to roll out the playdough and trace over the letters of their name with the playdough. Netana, Jorja, and Donnagh really enjoyed this activity where they were learning basic literacy skills in relation to the letter shapes within the spelling of their own names. Communication.

Ann

Literacy in the sandpit

A few weeks ago to further support children's interest in community signs (see display in main play area) I thought it would be fun to continue this interest in the sandpit. I set up the sandpit as a road construction site and asked Max and Netana what signs do we see when we drive past road works. Max replied 'stop', Netana said 'green is go'. We then made construction signs. I wrote these in pencil then Max copied over the top of the letters in paint as it Netana adding the letter 'T' to the end of his 'Go' sign, forming the word 'Got".

Max and Netana are learning that familiar print within their play has meaning and a purpose, linking their play to the wider world of our community- Communication, Te Whaariki.

Ann

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

Kian's Racing car

Kian was very busy on Wednesday playing alongside his friend Donnagh.

Kian had created a racing car out of mobilo, when I was nearby he told me all about it, "this is my racing car, it goes really fast". I replied, "wow, you have been working really hard on building that". Later on I heard Kian saying, "there's been an accident, quick". Kian had a piece on mobilo in hand shaped like a cellphone, he was contacting emergency services.

Kian you show so much interest in anything to do with vechicles whether it's in the sandpit, block corner, or mobilo like Wednesday, you also have a great imaginatination in creating things for your play. You show confidence in pretend and dramatic play. Also the ability to be creative and expressive through different areas of the curriculum.

Tamara

Farewell Sarah

On Wednesday we farewelled Sarah who turned five years old, she has been at KIDSPACE for a long time and will be surely missed. She is bound to enjoy her next adventure and new learning.

All the best Sarah, it has been fantastic to know you and see you grow and develop into a confident young lady.

Tamara

My mummy loves me

Mollie started talking to me outside on Tuesday this is the conversation we had;

Mollie, "My mummy loves me."

Tamara, "How do you know?"

Mollie, "She gives me kisses, even when I'm naughty she kisses me. I know she loves me",

then Mollie went on to say, "you can't see what you've learnt. Things come from your heart, you can't see what's in your heart, then you're talking (it) comes from your mouth."

Mollie is showing confidence in her first language and being self-expressive, I can see she had been thinking hard about the human brain, thoughts, ideas, and our heart.

Tamara

Story time with James

It was nearing the end of a short week ready for Easter weekend. James came in for a little bit at the end of the day. Here James is pictured reading a story with Kian, Donnagh, Rionagh, Jack and Noah the children were really engrossed in James story telling.

Tamara

Bubble Painting.

On Wednesday afternoon I set up bubble painting on the table outside on the deck. It is not an easy skill for young children to blow through the straw as opposed to sucking on it. Before the children began their paintings I got them to blow through their straws onto my hand to make sure they had the right technique. Joaquin, Sarah and Maia were the first to begin their bubble paintings before Harry arrived outside after his sleep. Harry showed great focus and skill as he made sure his bubbles didn't overflow before he could place his paper on top of them. Te Whariki Exploration and Communication. (by Sarah F)

Clay Painting.

As soon as Sophia woke up from her sleep this afternoon she came into the art room where I had watered down some clay to use as paint. Sophia began by using the paintbrushes before noticing the sponges I had also set out. While Sophia painted she still had one arm firmly wrapped around her dolly and once she lost her grip on the doll she decided it was time to finish painting. The grainy, thick texture of the clay paint is quite a different experience from the paint Sophia would normally come across in the paint pots. Te Whariki communication goal 4. Sarah. F.

A word from Joy Joy

A word from our old teacher, Joy: Hi there Irene and Team'
I have just been reading your KIDSPACE blog. Karla told me to check out Joaquin's birthday on it.
I am impressed and think it is such a fantastic and instant method of communication for parents, who of course love to read about their tamariki. What a great connector especially for the young technological parents of today. You have your fingers on the pulse!!!!
Congratulations to one and all
Joy

WHAT'S COOKING

Literacy is all around us at KIDSPACE and it is very obvious when you watch the children at work at the centre. Here Chardanae and Taylah are chefs and Taylah asks Chardanae to read out the ingredients on the back of the instant cake mix packet, and she will write them down. Here these girls are developing a familiarity with print and it's uses by exploring and observing the use of print in activities that have meaning and purpose for children. they are also developing an understanding that symbols can be "read" by others and that thought, experiences, and ideas can be represented through words, pictures, print, numbers, sounds, shapes, models and photographs. Monica