At a young age, many children learn that they are part of a group and develop an intense interest in social relationships.
This is when children learn to develop friendships and participate in group play.
Relationships are so important for our precious tamariki, as they develop social and emotional skills through their relationships with the people around them. Children who experience warm, responsive and trusting relationships are better able to manage their feelings and cope with the ups and downs of life.
We make sure that all our tamariki spend their day in a peaceful environment (as much as possible when surrounded by little people under five!) where they are always respected and loved. We work hard to show the children how to help a friend if they have accidentally been knocked over or how to comfort a friend who is hurt.
Learning these skills within the loving environment of our casa's has helped our children develop close whanau relationships with their friends. It is lovely to see children entering this phase of their learning journey and how they are developing into such caring and considerate friends. These skills will only strengthen as they grow and move through schooling and life.
"If we are to teach real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children" - Mahatma Gandhi