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Our 'Name Rakau'
At BestStart Parkside, we foster Kaitiakitanga, which means guardianship and protection of the environment. This links with our 3 R's of centre values - Responsibility, Respect, and Relationships. We teach these values to our children through meaningful, intentional, and integrated planning.
The children take an interest in recognising, spelling, and writing their names which builds their sense of identity. This sustainable activity aimed of name recognising and fostering literacy was set up by Kaiako Swazi. Children helped as kaiako spelled and wrote the children's names on a large sheet of paper on the wall. Names were written discretely on leaves, and children were prompted with the question, "Can you find your name?". It was great to see many children getting attracted to this activity, finding their names, and sticking their names on our 'Name Rakau'.
Children are learning about using natural resources to do fun and engaging activities and games. This expands on the important part they play in guarding and protecting their environment, minimising wastage, and learning that leaves can be used and recycled back into Mother Earth, whereas paper uses a lot of trees to make and costs money.