Weekly learning note
Week ending the 11th March
Kia ora
We are very thankful to still have our verandas with the change of weather over the past week. We know a number
of our families were without power so we hope that was the last of the strong winds!
Over the next month Marie and I would like to ensure we have everyone’s correct contact details e.g. emails and
mobile numbers. We will be setting up text and email alerts so that during the winter months we can ensure easy
communication and updates if required.
A snapshot of the learning activities over the past week:
Learning in the Piwakawaka class:
All of us at Wee Nippers enjoy greeting and visiting our youngest akonga as we celebrate their changes and
challengers. Over the past week the akonga have had a fun filled time practicing their hand-eye coordination and
learning about cause and effect as they explored very big bubbles. The bubbles were great for tracking and locating
and they made great use of their fine motor skills by and grasping and releasing while exploring the balls of different
weight, texture, size and colour. Balls also encourage crawling practice for those who are just starting to show signs
of wanting to move about when the balls were just out of reach. The tunnel also encouraged our akonga to think
about body and spatial awareness as they navigated over and around the balls that were in the tunnel. This activity
also supports development of visual skills such as depth perception and builds their self- confidence as they
manoeuvre through the tunnel without the benefit of peripheral vision.
Learning in the Hoiho class:
The teachers are capitalising on the children’s love of music and dance. A disco party was held on Friday with
flashing Christmas lights. The ākonga had a ball dancing to the music and used the drum set with great enthusiasm!
Children are learning many social skills through our games and they are building great relationships. Our older
ākonga are showing great leadership skills and independence as they take responsibility for leading the play and we
are enjoying following their cues. Our youngest ākonga are very observant and enjoy participating in our routines
and regular events. Joining in on our group times and karakia (holding out their hands in a basket) using the poi and
joining in with our familiar songs.
The use of te-reo in our class has been well received by the children and they are learning to use new words
spontaneously in their play especially ‘paki, paki’ and the Maori colours. One of our akonga uses sign language so
this is a great opportunity for us to capitalise on and share the learning with our other children. As a result the
teachers are now collectively learning sign and introducing it into the learning routines.
Learning in the Pukeko class:
The Pirates have arrived in Pukeko! This week the children have been engaging in Pirate play, including making and
decorating their pirate ship. Role play helps children develop their roles both cooperatively and sometimes not as
cooperatively as they learn how to express their needs, get along with others and appreciate other children’s points
of view.
As part of working on ‘colour mixing’ the children created a mural of the Maungatuas and all the children
participated in this project with over a week of work. They are now working on a large abstract canvas that includes
their individual contributions. We look forward to seeing the artistic master piece.
Learning in the Kiwi class:
Using stories to engage children in underlying learning concepts is vital. We continue to enjoy lots of stories but
some with a more specific focus; The Smartest Giant in Town’ and Prickles House. This was a story about a
hedgehog whose house burns down. This allowed the children to problem solve and discuss the properties of
different shapes. They have been using language such as diagonal, elongated and are continuing to explore the
properties of shapes. The Kiwi class have great imaginations, sharing wonderful, descriptive and creative thoughts
and ideas throughout the day. Using a picture dice the akonga had a chance to create sentences using the name of
the object on the dice. Great extension of imagination but at the same time having to think about vocabulary and
key words was a little bit harder!
The children have enjoyed making music with James as he bought in his drum kit. It was loud but great fun. The
children are now ready to develop their own song book of songs and music enjoyed. Watch this space.
Things coming up at Wee Nippers:
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Pukeko & Kiwi parent night/social get together. This is a chance for mums and dads to meet other
parents in your child’s class. As well as a chance for the teachers to share their Math kete/resource
development. The Kiwi room teachers will also chat about the class transitions and learning
expectations. A notice will go out shortly. Tuesday 15th March 6pm-7.15pm.
Small dog visiting classes. We look forward to welcoming Molly a West Highland Terrier/Maltese
visiting in the Piwakwaka class next week. Molly makes regular visits to the children’s ward in
hospital and rest homes so we are confident she will be enjoyed by our little ones. However if you
do have any objection please let us know
Vomiting. Sadly we had 5 children away with the vomiting bug on Friday the 11th. At this stage it
is mostly contained to two classes (Piwakawaka and Hoiho) with one reported in the Pukeko class.
We have been very cautious with cleaning and cross contamination but please if your child has
vomited at home please keep them at home for 24hours. This ensures if it’s a ‘one off’ it
disappears and if it’s not that we stop the spread of it. Many thanks in advance especially to those
families who have done just that.
Entertainment Book. We will soon be offering families to purchase these. For every purchase of a book
we get $12. This is going towards trips and excursions to enrich our curriculum and ensure children get to go
on regular trips and excursions without a cost to you. We will be releasing this shortly.
Have a great week. From the Wee Nippers team