Wednesday 27 February 2013

Monday 25 February 2013

Monday 18 February 2013

Our sea animals interest


The children really got into sea animals at the moment, especially sharks for a few.  The following is a list of books that's available for the children:


At the Beach: Explore & Discover the New Zealand Seashore
AT THE BEACH.By Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler. Paperback, 0.16kg, 210mm x 230mm, full colour illustrations. Published in 2012.

Explore the sandy beach, rock pools and mudflats around New Zealand's coast & discover the animals and plants that make these different habitats such exciting places to visit:crabssea stars, kina & sea anemonesshellfishseaweeds, sponges & sandhoppersfish, jellyfish & shrimpsbirdsAimed at children from preschoolers up, and anyone curious about New Zealand's natural environment. Includes a removable, waterproof, quick-reference guide to common seashore animals.


One Smart Fish
ONE SMART FISH.By Chris Wormell. Paperback, 0.21kg, 267mm x 267mm, colour text and illustrations.

Long ago in the deep ocean, there lived...one smart fish! He wasn't the biggest and he wasn't the boldest, but he was the cleverest. What this smart fish wanted more than anything else was to walk upon the land. But everyone knows that fish can't walk...can they? Find out how one smart fish can change the world in this sparkling new adventure from Chris Wormell, creator of George and the Dragon.


Big Book of Big Sea Creatures
BIG BOOK OF BIG SEA CREATURES. By Minna Lacey & Fabiano Fiorin.Hardback, 0.79kg, 247mm x 300mm, full colour. Published 2011.

Open the huge fold-out pages to discover all kinds of extraordinary sea creatures, from the leatherback sea turtle and great white shark to the biggest animal on earth - the mighty blue whale.


Some waiata (songs) we sang in mat time:




Saturday 16 February 2013

Healthy food plan

Since our healthy lunch campaign work so successfully, I'd like to further extend that to individual (child & family ) awareness of how much food from each food group do they need each day based on their physical levels.  Each children has their own daily food plan from the choosemyplate site.


I also plan to do a chart for children to record what they eat and be able to see how much more is needed.   I'll also include a column for candies too, hopefully children will be aware and help them know if they have had enough sweet food for the day.  Less sugary food will prevent tooth decay and reduce obesity in children.

Some tips from healthy eating:

Kid friendly veggies and fruits
Cut back on your kids sweet treat

Friday 1 February 2013

Te Whariki


The New Zealand Early Childhood curriculum is founded on the following aspirations
for children:


to grow up as competent and confidentlearners and communicators, healthyin mind, body, and spirit, secure intheir sense of belonging and in theknowledge that they make a valuedcontribution to society.


At AKA, children learns:


The AKA philosophy is based on learning through play.  This means that children are encouraged to participate in a wide range of learning activities, to extend and develop their skills and knowledge.
During their time at kindergarten, your child will have the opportunity to:
develop confidence as they experience an environment where they:
  • feel safe and secure
  • interact with other children, teachers and adults
  • are given opportunities to develop problem solving skills and make decisions
  • celebrate their attempts and successes
experience visual and oral literacy through:
  • songs, games, rhymes and stories in their own and other languages of the world
  • meaningful activities such as writing their name, making lists, recording stories and sharing ideas
  • experiencing print in a variety of different ways such as books, posters and computers
develop numeracy skills through:
  • using numbers with purpose such as understanding dates, time, money and measurements
  • categorising objects into sizes, colours, shapes and types
  • exploring concepts of space - under, over, on and between
  • discovering and exploring patterns - weaving, sewing, rhythm and puzzles
to explore and thereby develop an understanding of the world around them through:
  • experimenting, questioning, having curiosity and problem solving
  • respecting and caring for living things
  • using their senses to explore and develop an understanding of their environment
  • researching ideas and developing working theories about planet earth and beyond - electricity, ice, gravity and stars
develop creativity through:
  • dance, drama, art and music – of their own and other cultures
  • using a variety of techniques, tools and resources – such as paint, instruments and props
  • exploring rhythm, beat, tone, pitch, movement and spatial awareness
  • developing their imagination
http://www.aka.org.nz/Akainternet/templates/AKA--What-do-I-learn-at-kindergarten_1_2_52_Graphical.aspx