LATEST STORIES

Meet Danny

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We have had a new recruit keeping us company here at BestStart Puketaha. His name is Danny and he is an orphan lamb that one of our teachers has bought into our care. The children have loved taking care of our new baby and Danny is flourishing as he gets to know the children. He loves a good cuddle and the children are loving feeding him his bottles throughout the day. Taking care of animals teaches responsibility and brings a set of guidelines that include hand-washing, and not chasing or scaring them. One of the key learning outcomes for The New Zealand Early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki is the development of children’s learning depositions or habits of mind, where children combine knowledge skills and attitude to become ready, willing and able to learn. It is proposed that animal interactions increase levels of oxytocin; reduce cortisol production (a stress hormone), thus reducing stress and anxiety; and promote increased social interactions.

Danny, just like our other animals here at Puketaha, has sure been a great catalyst this week during those times of transition, especially drop off and pick-up times.