In the beginning.

A story we regularly explore at kindergarten is a Māori legend of how the world was created. In this particular story Ranginui and Papatuanuku were so close that their children had no room to move about and they lived in darkness. They decided to work together to separate their parents.  They were successful and light entered the world.  The children then became guardians /kaitiaki of different areas.  In response to this legend we invited children to help create the Ocean for Tangaroa, a forest for Tane Mahuta and the sky for Ranginui the sky father.  As we worked together we explored what things we would find in each of these areas and children drew them and added these to the scenes.   While working together on the project we also continued to explore the idea of us all being kaitiaki of the world we live in and what that might mean.  Children suggested things like "we look after all the animals " and "we can't leave our rubbish on the ground" .

Setting the stage

A couple of fabulous storytellers at kindergarten decided they wanted to put on a show at mat time.  We talked about needing to practice but the girls assured me that they had it sorted and it would be a surprise.  (Which indeed it was).
I suggested a possible location for the show and they were very excited about their venue and took upon themselves to paint the prop (puppet stand) on the side.  Some very creative and inspirational designs were created, and engaged a growing number of stage crew in the process.

The girls made a fabulous job and the show was a blend of storytelling, dramatic performance and comedy.  They had their audience in hysterics (and teachers too) and kept their audience captivated for 15 minutes.  A job well done girls.  Mat times are much more fun when the children are running them.

Bubbly fun

I have to say that Facebook is a great place to find and share great ideas.  I discovered a fun art experience just using paint and bubble wrap on a roller.  The children used the rollers for a while then decided to take the bubble wrap off and press it onto the paper, which caused bubble explosions.
The resulting artwork was stunning and the colours were very dramatic.

Boys, technology and the arts

When the teachers bring the art spinning wheel out the boys gather around waiting for their turn.  There is a process in place, children have to make their own paper circle, drawing, cutting and getting it ready for placing on the wheel. The wheel is driven by a drill and the battery is attached at the side of the box for ease of recharging.  There is a light switch on the side to turn the wheel on and off.  I think for boys it is mechanical, it has "the noise, "the speed" and it never looses it fascination.  The children can use paint, dye, pens, spray paint.  The possibilities are endless and the learning is collaborative and creative.
As you can see there is lots of concentration and thinking, notice the three brushes moving together and the colour bands that are being created with purpose.

A special taonga gifted from the Sutton whanau.

  Today the kindergarten was gifted a beautiful picture from the Sutton whanau to represent the things we know are special learning at Nayland Primary School. Thank you Skye, Fern, Jo and Martin for the beautiful gift, the story of the painting and the wonderful presentation to us today. The magical world of fairies and unicorns will live in our place for always. Take the time to read all about this painting. The words are placed beside the painting on the wall.

Lets not forget Levity

We had another unforgettable visit last term from Levity Beet who came to entertain us or should I say mesmerized us with his musical and instrumental talents.  Levity had  40+ children and teachers spellbound for 1 hour as he demonstrated his 100% recycled material instruments with very complex names like the zinco....phone (sorry Levity I can't pronounce or spell them).

We are hoping that you will take up our offer Levity of running a workshop at kindergarten for teachers and whanau to learn how to make our own musical instruments out of recycled materials, they have a unique and magical sound of their own.

Exploring portraiture

At the beginning of the week a number of children were invited to explore portraiture and this what happened.....  THE RESULTS WERE STUNNING... and children have returned to the table to explore this alongside teachers and independently throughout the week.

Innovation on a wet day!

A simple recipe - take 2 children, 2 raincoats, 1 brush, 1 scraper and water - mix it together and what do you get - very clean windows.

TEAMWORK, FINDING AN INTEREST, BEING INNOVATIVE AND WORKING TOGETHER TO GET THE JOB DONE!!!

Winter fun

Winter never loses it fascination, as children we love the leaves scattered over the lawn and gardens, it is a time to be playful with nature.  Collecting the leaves is fun when it is shared and then the job of putting them on the garden to compost down is real work.
Exploring how leaves move through the air as we toss them above our heads and shriek as they flutter down over us is science and maths in action.
We begin to notice the bare trees, the colours in the fallen leaves and the birds looking for food, they are nibbling away at the pears that have fallen from our pear tree and we begin to have discussions about making bird feeders again.
WINTER IS FUN AND IT BRINGS NEW ADVENTURES.

Diverse thinkers

Children at Nayland Kindergarten have diverse learning opportunities and experiences.
They are confident, capable, competent learners who are able to think co-operatively, interdependently and independently.

When I posed a provocation in small group their thinking showed diversity and the ability to think independently, even though they worked alongside each other.

Tanya Batt visits us again

Whenever Tanya visits Nelson we love to catch up with her for some more storytelling.  We believe her journey through the expressive arts in early childhood and the way she brings this to children and adults   IS A DYNAMIC, MOTIVATING, INSPIRATIONAL EXPERIENCE.  She is without question THE BEST STORYTELLER IN THE LAND OF AOTEAROA.

This time we invited Tanya to do a session with 3 groups of kindergarten children in the morning and then run a workshop for teachers in the afternoon.

Check out her website - Imagined worlds and enjoy her storytelling.

Following children's interests

EVERYDAY I AM A FIREMAN!!  The fire play at Nayland Kindergarten happens everyday and a growing number of children, adults and teachers are engaging in the play.
So where to next the teachers wondered??  We could revisit the fire station and see what ideas the children bring back with them this time.  A couple of the children had been on the first trip and they were definitely the leaders in the play, so what would be different for them and how would the play change for the new children.
SO WE PLANNED A TRIP TO THE FIRESTATION.
I think the teachers and adults were just as excited as the kids.
There is always time for a social catchup in the park before hand and morning kai, then a game of tag, followed by a little chat about keeping ourselves safe on the busy city streets.  Then we were off...

     

The Firemen at the Nelson Fire Station were amazing!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the children in such a meaningful way and for giving up your time so generously.

The children were so interested and the hands on opportunities certainly gave them an opportunity to be firemen/women too.

It was great to have 8 very interested and supportive parents helping during the morning, and I know that we learnt heaps too.

Even the adults had a hankering to hold the fire hose, but we had to share as time was running out, so we let the children have their turn.  Maybe next time adults.

We checked out the firefighters clothing.  What did they wear on their bodies, and how did they keep themselves safe from fire,heat and falling objects.

We talked about why firemen have to be fit, and why they might need to be strong to carry all their gear and to climb ladders.  We also told them that we are getting fit on the ropes and monkey bars.

We told the fireman how we keep ourselves safe at kindergarten and they were very impressed with the children's knowledge about safety.

The fireman had a big x box looking panel strapped to his body so that he could maneouvre the big ladder, turning it so that the hose was pointing right at us.  Yikes!  Funny that some of us thought it was a camera.  Then he spun it right around and extended it up to the top of the big tower.  The fireman practice climbing up the tower and also use the tunnels inside for crawling practice.

The firemen showed us around the many cupboards on the firetruck, showing us all the equipment.
The jaws of life were so heavy and the children thought they looked just like scissors.
We talked about them rescuing people from cars.
The children also learnt about the many helpful jobs that fireman do too.





The fire truck was so well equipped.

 We were surprised by the many different fire  vehicles in the yard.

When we get back to kindergarten we will put up the photos so that children can think about the different vehicles and the jobs they do.

Maybe our firemen play at kindergarten might consider many of the ideas from the morning and the many different vehicles we saw???




I can't wait to be outside next week to see what happens next in the play.....

 

Physical Exploration is key to learning

This term we have really noticed children taking on much bigger physical challenges, and the uninterrupted length of time children have to further their learning alongside their peers and teachers is a key enabler.

The teachers have showcased the physical challenges at mat times and throughout the morning by making children's learning visible and inviting children to "give it a go".  The photos speak for themselves.

 

The boys have certainly taken up the girls challenge to master some difficult upper body movements, they are motivated to tackle and master these skills.
THE CHILDREN AT NAYLAND KINDERGARTEN SEES THEMSELVES AS TEACHERS AND LEARNERS.