Term 4 Week 2

What a lovely way to start the week with Labour Day on Monday...I'm sure after all the excitement of being back at Kindergarten last week that many of the children (and teachers) were in need of the looong weekend! So a short but busy week here, with more Kindergarten photographs on Tuesday, and more new families joining us in the TF group. It's great to see new children and families feeling welcomed into the Kindergarten...an important time to reiterate our dispositional focus for Term 4: "What if KINDNESS/MANAAKI were the only rule?" Please take a few moments to introduce yourself to our new families, or to find out the names of parents that your child raves about at home! This role models for your children how to interact with others in new situations, and I'm sure we can all remember a time when someone has reached out to us and what a difference that has made to our sense of belonging to a place; such as being a part of the wider Winton Kindergarten whanau...Kindness breeds kindness!

The tamariki catching up over the kai table at morning tea...Taking time to listen and be a part of the group

Jodie and Poppy arrived with cupcakes they had baked for their teachers...How very thoguthful and kind of you girls!

Logan was so happy to see his good friend Alyssa...Logan had made some "Get well soon" treats for Alyssa to make her feel better!! Kind gestures go a long way :)

With the wintery weather we have experienced over the past few weeks, the children have been having lots of fun with their imagination and role play inside. You may have noticed huts being constructed with chairs, lycra, and anything (everything!) the children find. These huts have become home to many families and characters this week! Continuing on from last week where the children were in deep conversation regarding wedding rings and their purpose/meaning; Kylie introduced some adult dress ups such as hi-vis work singlets, high heels, and even her own wedding dress!! We have been overhearing lots of discussion as the children share their understandings about marriage, the roles of mums and dads, and what it means to be an adult. The children are learning about the construction and reconstruction of their working theories through these conversations...For example, the children are taking what they know and supplementing this knowledge with new ideas from their peers. They are challenging their beliefs with the ability to take on new information which may or may not oppose their current ways of thinking! This is why we promote play FOR learning...So much can be discovered through our social interactions!

Amazing Me Programme
This week we have revisited our Amazing Me Programme with DVD 4 of the series. The children have been learning about expressing how they feel, and the importance of letting others know that it's okay to be upset or angry. Suzy reiterated "Stop Think and Act" which we now hear the children repeating to their peers in their play - tu meke, awesome!

MTW Group...
We are starting to look forward to our bus trip to Invercargill on Monday the 5th of November when we head to the Capital E Production "Around the World and Buck Again" at the Civic Theatre. Many of the group performed at the Civic Theatre in August for Polyfest so it will be a nice way to revisit some of those memories as we become the spectators! PARENTS: Please ensure permission slips and the $8 to cover ticket costs are returned so that your child can attend this amazing event!