During our mat time today we practiced taking turns with the hand drum. I played a little beat for M, A, T and P and then passed the hand drum onto A “you have a turn A, and then it will be Ps turn, OK?” I explained. A played us a lovely beat and then happily passed the drum onto P. “Ps turn now” I said and P also played us a beat. Can you let M have a turn now? I asked and P had no problem giving M a turn. ”Ms” turn P said as he handed it over. M then had his turn, he even stood up as he beat the drum and then without me even saying he passed the drum onto T. “Ts turn now!” she said as M handed it over. The children passed the drum around in a circle for the remainder of the mat time, with little or no cues from me to remind them to take turns.

I was very proud of the children during this activity. They were so willing to wait patiently for their turn with the drum and were willing to share it was their time to hand the drum to their friend. They could see how taking turns can be fun and they are learning skills for enjoying relationships with other children and learning alongside their peers.

By Ally – January 2015

Around the World.

How did this interest start?

Quite a few children have been on overseas holidays lately or have had family and friends come and visit or leave the country on aeroplanes. We have also been talking quite a bit about our Holidays at news time and the different places we have visited. During one of Ally’s mat times, the children noticed Mary Louise stapling a World Map to the wall and asked what she was doing. I explained that the map shows all of the different countries in the world – we then talked about the different countries the children have visited or countries that their family and friends live in. Since then, the children have spent time gathered around the map asking the names of the different countries.

At mat time the next day, it was decided that we would learn a bit more about China and Japan as our teachers Lydia and Kathy are from China, and I’s mummy is from Japan – B also has a granddad in Japan. We watched a short clip on the computer about China – the children got so excited when they saw the traditional Chinese Lion Dancing! We decided to watch more of the dancing and soon discovered Chinese Dragon Dancing. This then led to clips of traditional Japanese dancing with fans and umbrellas, Thai dancing, Indian dancing and Spanish dancing – they also use fans in their dance.

C and N decided that they would like to make their own Japanese dancing fans. I put a video of the dancing on the computer so that they could copy the movements. It wasn’t long before V, I, T, E, N and J wanted to join in. It really was quite lovely to watch the children dancing with their fans.

So here starts our new interest – Around the World! We are very excited to see where this interest will take us and the different experiences and activities it will bring. We are keen to further explore the different types of tradition dance and costumes – this may lead us on to customs and festivals, food, language, flags and buildings – so many avenues!

By Ally – January 2015

A giant pancake! Yum yum! That is what we made today and it all started with the pancake story. In the  pancake story, the pancake got eaten  by the pig. But today our children ate the giant pancake that we made. B, C, T, L and A were especially interested in having a turn to add and mix the ingredients together. N, N and the rest of the children especially couldn’t wait to eat the giant pancake. The enthusiasm and verbal communication throughout this process was very evident, as children made many comments about the pancake story and our experience of mixing, making and eating our giant pancake. It was so exciting!

Te Whariki— (communication G3) Children experience stories and symbols of their own and other cultures. Stories create and develop into meaningful experiences.

Possibilities and opportunities-Let us continue to follow the children’s interests that may develop from ideas and experiences from books.

Date: January 2015               Teacher: Mary-Louise