Children's Day 2012

Kia Ora whanau

This Sunday 4th March is Children’s Day! This year’s theme is ‘treasure our children' which fits perfectly within our roles of teachers and parents every day!

You are doing the most important job there is. It’s rewarding, but sometimes it’s tough. This Children’s Day we encourage families everywhere to treasure their children. When you’re a parent that might mean:

- Making sure your kids have the things they need.
- Look after yourself so you can be there for them. It’s good to take time out to be you.
- If you’re a dad, there’s so much you can do to make your child feel like a taonga. -
- Learn about positive discipline. This job never came with a manual and knowing some tricks of the trade can make life a whole lot easier.


There are planned events happening all over NZ to celebrate this special day. Some events happening within the napier area are:

Plunket's Teddy Bears Picnic
Where: Anderson Park, by the playground, Kennedy Road, Napier
When: Sunday 4th March, 11am - 2pm
Activities: Bring a picnic and your teddy's and come on down to support Plunket. There will be bouncy castles, face painting, sausage sizzle, mini Hot Rod ride on cars and more!

National Aquarium Children's Day
Where: National Aquarium, Marine Parade, Napier
When: Sunday 4 March, 9am - 5pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Activities: Free entry to the National Aquarium for children aged 14 years and under with a paying adult. Lots of childrens activities and prizes to celebrate Children's Day!

Visit http://www.childrensday.org.nz/ for more information!

I'll be back soon to post a blog about how KIDSPACE is celebrating this day next week (5-9th March).

Na, Ainslee

Cleo's passion for dancing

Everyday of last week Cleo would ask a teacher, "music, dance". Friday was my turn to be asked by Cleo. Cleo got a gleem in her eye when the music started, she twirled around. Jaz, Rionagh and Paige all joined in with the dancing they joined hands and walk around in circles, while we did this Cleo continued dancing by herself doing dancing moves that she wanted to create.
What a fun time had by all. Great opportunties to learn about moving in space, dancing in time to the beat and developing those gross-motor skills.

Tamara

Ra whanau ki a koe Ashleigh

On Friday the KIDSPACE whanau wished Ashleigh a happy birthday for Saturday. Ruby made Ashleigh a lovely, decorated playdough cake. We sang 'Happy birthday' and gave her 5 giant claps.

Rie

Making morning tea

Last Thursday morning I had lots of children wanting to help me with preparing morning tea, so into the art-room we went to make banana muffins. Morning tea was a bit late but this didn't matter as the children had the opportunity to engage in a valuable learning experience. Baking integrates a range of concepts. These include maths concepts such as numeracy, measurement, and volume; science concepts such as chemistry and physics. We talked about how substances change texture and shape when different ingredients are added and also how temperature effects the finished product. The children enjoyed having input into preparing our kai and sharing this with the rest of the KIDSPACE whanau.

Rie

Happy Birthday Rionagh

Yesterday we celebrated Rionaghs birthday with a lovely cake made by her mum. Rionagh turned 3 over the weekend. Monica

Hannah and Mana get their groove on

Hannah had asked if I could put some party music on in the art room, so I did. In no time at all Mana
was on the dance floor getting his groove on. Hannah and Mana shared their different dance moves with each other.
Mana was very confident with moving in space and had plenty of dance moves to action, he did twists, little jumps off the wall
and what looked like some break dancing moves. Hannah twirled and jumped up and down she was having a fantastic time. After a little while more children joined in with Mana and Hannah's dancing. Mana and Hannah are showing the ability to be self-expressive with and alongside their peers.

Tamara

Happy 2nd Birthday Scarlett