What Do I Learn At Kindergarten?

A big thank you to our families who came along to the Parent Partnership Meetings. We value the opportunity to spend some time discussing the activities and learning that your child has been involved in and it is great to get to know you  better too. We believe that children learn holistically at kindergarten - by being immersed in day to day activities that are relevant, have meaning and are fun for a child.
Each child is supported as they learn and grow so please enjoy reading this from a child's perspective:

What do I learn at kindergarten?
I learn to be away from you - my parents - and this may take some time
I learn to be with teachers and other adults
I learn to be a with a large group of children
I learn to work alone, I learn to share and co-operate
I learn simple rules and routines
I learn to complete a task or activity
I learn to be independent, but not afraid to ask for help
I learn to select and choose
I learn to take responsibility for my belongings
I learn to share my family and experiences with others
Remember I will learn at my own rate, and this may be faster or slower than others. All the activities at kindergarten, both inside and outside are provided to allow me to develop as a happy, healthy person. I am able to explore, ask questions and make new discoveries with support from my teachers. Through climbing, building, digging and running I learn to organise and direct my play, while learning about my safety limits. My confidence and my physical strength will grow and I can challenge myself to complete new obstacles and skills.
I learn about my world as I explore by:
Finding out what things are called
How they work
What they are made of
How they feel, taste, smell, look and sound
How things grow, develop and change

At kindergarten I also develop skills which I will need later on in life. I learn to understand about letters, numbers, shapes and colours, the difference between big and small, top and bottom, left and right. I am also supported as I learn to handle books, pencils, paint brushes and scissors. Some of these fine motor skills will help me with my pencil grip when I go to school.
My language and my listening skills will grow with all the stories, poems, singing, rhymes and music that I hear. As I am doing, I am learning. Because I do not always take something home, does not mean I have not been busy. There are plenty of things for me to discover and explore like nature, blocks, the family corner, puzzles, games, sand and water. I learn through all the activities because I want to and it's fun.

Fire Truck Visit

Today the Firefighters from Ngaruawahia came to visit us. We were so excited and lots of children were singing the 'Firetruck' song before they arrived. We learned all about what to do if there is a fire at kindergarten and our clever children told the firefighters where our Assembly point is. One of the firemen put on all of his safety clothing to show us and he had a special mask. It sounded funny when he was breathing but we know it is very important for him to wear all of this clothing if he is called out to a fire.
The children sat in the cab of the Fire truck and got to hold and turn on the fire hose. The water shot way up in to the air...wow. At mat time Karin read the Firetruck story and everyone sang along to the music.
Thank you to Neil (Torrin's dad) for organising this visit.

Have a look at some of our photos

Volcano Fun

"Who wants to make a volcano" I asked when we were in the sand pit. I was immediately surrounded by several enthusiastic children who started piling sand up to make a 'huge mountain'. Anah came with me to get some vinegar and baking soda. The children took turns to spoon baking soda in to a container that we pushed in to the top of the mountain and they poured some vinegar on top.
Their comments were delightful:
Wow, look at that lava flowing", "It's all thick and gooey", "watch out it might be hot".
Activities like this science experiment can allow children to pose questions about the world around them and lets them see the result of two properties combining (vinegar and baking soda). Children discuss their thoughts and ideas and work collaboratively with their friends as they go through the process. I was impressed at how well they took turns and were considerate of each other.
Here are some of our photos-