In the month of September (lockdown level 4) at Beststart Kenderdine we continued to support the children with remote learning through zoom meetings and supported activities posted  on storypark. Through BestStart @home learning programme organised by all our Kaiako, it  brought our children and whanau connected with each other and thus we were able to maintained a positive relationship between teachers and children/whanau through sharing current interests at home and daily conversations with their teachers about how they might extend their learning further. Photos shared in this post reminds us about the importance of relationships, offering support, observing and appreciating the learning that occurs at everyday life. The home learning programme also offered us to explore different ways to connect with parents and whanau during this hard times and offer help to families. Through children’s interests and dispositions teachers of each room had their own stories and activities shared in a meaningful way.

During lockdown we celebrated Tongan language week and Te reo Maori language week. Each kaiako supported the cultural and linguistic diversity of all children as part of promoting an inclusive environment. We posted videos of Tongan and Maori songs that enhanced children’s language skills, gave children confidence to explore new words and sounds and have pleasure of singing variety of songs (waiata) in different language. Through Zoom meetings and storypark posts children discovered art and craft activities that they can do at home to explore Maori and Tongan culture. Through art and craft work, children developed their creativity and imaginative skills as well as explored how to use recycle materials and resources at their home to promote sustainability. 

Bubble 2

We continued supporting children’s remote learning for children at home while supporting and settling children who were attended our Pohutukawa room bubble. To enhance children’s knowledge and understanding about conservation of our natural resources we explored garbage truck and the purposes recycling items around our environment. Children created a recycle truck with boxes and identified the different items that they can recycle and reuse in their day to day activities. Our tamariki actively participated in celebrating Chinese and Tuvaluan language week by exploring songs such as learning Happy birthday song in Chinese language and moving to the beat of the Chinese fan dance. Children had an awesome time using naturals resources (flowers and twigs) from their environment to create art prints of Tuvaluan culture on the brown paper. Children were able to develop their fine and gross motor skills, problem solve while using flowers to stamp print and explore the colours that were mixing together during painting.

Bubble 3  
In the month of September, we had 4 teachers and 10 children in bubble 3. Daily we have been having zoom meetings to support our children who were at home by doing (BestStart home learning) and the ones coming to the centre were daily explored with the planned activities. The teachers had worked along with the programme planning throughout the week and they continued supporting the all the children according to the plan, interests and dispositions in their daily environment. Through the zoom meetings teachers had conversations with the parents and children about what they were doing at home and the continued interest that the child is currently showing during play and exploration. This enhanced in supporting our parents at home who are caring for their children and whanau while also working from home. We have noticed the increased on-going development of holistic learning for all our children. Parents engagement and contribution while giving their feedback on storypark enhanced our values of promoting positive parent partnership.  

Holistic development 
Holistic development means developing the whole child – socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.  

Why is Holistic Development Important? 
In order for children to succeed and reach their full potential, all aspects of their development must be given attention.  

Children develop skills such as:  

·                  emotional intelligence  

·                  confidence  

·                  social ability  

·                  compassion  

·                  fine and gross motor coordination  

·                  responsibility  

·                  creativity  

Holistic development is the key to learning to the children.