The beginning of our 'nature forest programme'

Friday 11^th June 2011, marked the day of our first ‘nature forest programme’ excursion into Mairpark. It has felt like months of planning and preparation but we have finally done it. We took our eldest 12 children, along with two of our dads (Matt and Kauri) teachers Kim and Christine, and senior teacher Gillian.

The children were dropped off at Banff Street, all dressed for the rain (and yes, it really did rain on us!) in their new wet weather pants and jackets. With this being our first trip we asked Constable Sue to join us. She talked to the children about safety in the park, and what to do if you get lost – remain where you are and blow your whistle till you are found. We have had lots of discussions with the children at Kindergarten about remaining safe, but it was great to have this reinforced by our community police officer.

We do not see nature with our eye, but with our understandings and our hearts (William Hazlitt, 1859)

We were then ready to make our way further into Mairpark and find a spot for our ‘home camp’. The children collected long twigs and branches, made a circle and placed around this some tree stumps which we used as stalls.

 As the morning progressed we walked further into Mairpark and discovered a ‘magical tree’, made some swings out of logs and ropes, climbed up a rocky path to the top of the park (and then back down again). Jeremy loved climbing up the rocks; he told me “this is so cool, it’s just like rock climbing”.

Morning tea time, with some much needed hot milo.

 

When children play in natural environments, their play is more diverse with imaginative and creative play that fosters language and collaborative skills (Moore & Wong 1997, Taylor et al 1998, Fjortoft 2000).

We had some tools and equipment for the children to use. The magnifiers and small halogen torches were in great demand. The torches were great for exploring in the crevices of rocks and between the bark on the trees. We found some interesting plants and insects, and lots of worms that had come out for the rain. Hace loved using the torch on the ground telling us “the mud….it looks so shiny”.

As a team we are so proud of the children, they were amazing today at the park, remembering the rules, helping set up camp, walking lots and lots and remaining in such good humour despite the never ending rain! Thank you to Matt and Kauri - your help was fantastic.

We are planning to take the children into Mairpark once a week as an on-going nature forest programme (let’s hope for nicer weather next week!).

Christine

Matariki Breakfast Celebration

This weekend - the 4^th June – marks the beginning of Matariki. On Friday at Kindergarten, we celebrated this event with our children and their Whanau by holding a breakfast. Donna was working super-fast to prepare delicious smoothies, scrambled eggs, porridge, fruit salad, beans, toast and jam, yoghurt and cereals – thanks Donna!

Matariki is one of the most significant celebrations in the Maori calendar; it is the indigenous New Year.

Matariki is about celebrating new beginnings, moving forward in life and also a time of reflection.

Matariki runs from the 4^th June to 4^th July, with many other activities and events being held locally in our community.

Thank you to all the Whanau, parents, grandparents and everyone that came to help us celebrate. It was wonderful to see everyone and share this experience with you. We hope to see you all again when we hold a Matariki closing ceremony dinner later next month.

Christine

A message from Te Takoha

This is a little video from Te Takoha, for his mum Emma who is in Australia at the moment. We hope you enjoy it Emma.

Christine

Our small prickly visitor.

Imagine how surprised we were today when a small hedgehog came scampering in, taking shelter under our veranda. After a couple of attempts to set our new friend free (he wasn't having it and kept returning) we very carefully gathered him up, placed him in a box and gave him a raw sausage to eat.

When the afternoon children arrived it was a real treat to be able to show them what was in the box!

We were all absolutely amazed by the length of the hedgehogs back legs.

We spent along time looking at our visitor, noting the spines on its back, its soft tummy covered in a coarse grey-brown fur and its long whiskery snout.

Eventually, after almost all the sausage had gone, we decided to try once again to release the hedgehog back into our Kindergarten garden. It was a little reluctant (perhaps it didn't like today's rain) - I wonder if it will visit us again?

Our visitor was a great learning experience for us, we were able to discuss hedgehogs, their natural environment and see close up what they really look like.

Christine

Sheridan's fame on 'You Tube'

Sheridan arrived at Kindergarten this morning and told us she was on 'You Tube' singing one of Mairtown Kindergarten's favourite songs - Tutira mai nga iwi.

You can check it out by clicking  here

We were so impressed to see Sheridan singing this song at home, we watched it together on our new projector at group time. Everyone really enjoyed it, in fact we loved it so much we played it twice and even sung along with it.

Well done Sheridan, we are all so proud of you.

Christine

Abstract art with Kandinsky!

Over the last week at Kindergarten we have been looking at some work by the artist Wassilly Kandinsky. Kandinsky, known for his creation of abstract art loved the use of line, shape and colour in his work. One of his colour studies in particular really captured the children's imaginations and inspired many to thoughtfully create their own wonderful abstract art pieces.

The inspirational colour study by Kandinsky entitled 'Squares with Concentric Rings'.

Painting (Waituhi) encourages creativity and also allows for investigation of abstract concepts.

As we painted we talked about colour, texture, shape, design, patterns and perspective (all early maths concepts).

 

Here are some of the beautiful finished paintings.

"To play with colour is to play with magic" (Kolbe, 2009)

                                                                  



Christine

The trees are a hit!

We watched with anticipation as children, parents and Whanau arrived at Kindergarten the morning after the trees arrived. Most of the children were eager to quickly explore the trees, running their hands over the bark and the rings, hunting for bugs, smelling the freshly cut wood, climbing up the stumps, balancing on the top and then jumping off.





Emma uses the muscles in her arms and legs to really pull herself up - a new challenge.

Well done Emma, you did it. What a sense of accomplishment!

Time to jump off - what great risk-taking Emma.

There have been plenty of opportunities to learn with, from and alongside others in the children's discoveries and investigations.






When children play in natural environments, their play is more diverse with imaginative and creative play that fosters language and collaborative skills (Moore & Wong 1997, Taylor, et al. 1998, Fjortoft 2000).

"I'm taller than you, when I'm up here" (Fergus to Christine)

"I don't want to jump off, actually I do want to jump off. 1,2,3......jump" (Grace)

"This is my tallest day ever" (Harrison)

"Are they all one tree? Did they cut it?" (Heidi)

"Look, there's a worm on the tree. I can see a worm" (Brendon)

"This is my big horse" (Sheridan, lying down on the Kahikatea stump)

"I'm a transformer, go engine go" (Jeremy)

"It just looks stunning, it's so beautiful when you walk into Kindergarten" (Angela)

What does everyone else think of our trees, let us know by adding your comments.......and don't be shy - we love to know your opinions.

Christine