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Growing together
Here at BestStart Hokowhitu our centre encourages tuakana/teina interactions. In the morning and afternoon, we come together to share one space together which supports those relationships. Kaiako discuss with tamariki how we can display manaakitanga and aroha towards each other, as these are part of our centre values, kaiako uniquely role model this daily with tamariki.
Our group and individual planning is consistent throughout infants, toddlers and the pre school room. Kaiako set up activities based around the interest of the group and individual child/ren by using a variety of intentional teaching strategies, these strategies focus on quality learning outcomes for tamariki.
Our tuakana Leon, was outside playing with his friends when he heard our teina from infants, Cooper making crying sounds on the floor in our toddlers room. Leon came straight over to him and put his face close to his, while still respecting his space. Leon used a quiet, calm tone as he spoke to Cooper, which made him smile and stop crying. However, when he went to walk away Cooper started to cry again. A Kaiako suggested to Leon that maybe he could tell him the story that we have been telling at mat times “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”. Leon thought that was a great idea and gathered the props he needed to retell the story. Cooper was very engaged in his great story telling, kaiako were impressed with how much of the story he remembered. It seemed Coopers favourite parts were when Leon used his troll voice and said “whose that trip trapping over my bridge” as Cooper was very still as he watched Leon.
Interaction such as these are observed daily as kaiako take pride and set an expectation with tamariki, we also role model, and use social and emotional coaching to support even our youngest tamaiti.