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Pink Day and NZ sign language celebration
In line with this celebration of diversity, Harry and Glennis (Oliver’s Nana) from the Deaf Society Aotearoa came for a visit to teach the children NZ sign language. First, the children welcomed them with the Te Aroha song along with the NZ signs they know and Glennis and Harriet were blown away! Ka pai, nga tamariki.
Then, Harriet shared with the children some animal signs (shark, dolphin, cat, dog, chicken, rhinoceros, kiwi bird, and fish) feelings (happy, sad, tired, excited), and colours — singing the Ma is White song. Today the children and nga kaiako of BestStart Regent Kindy dressed in pink in support of the Anti-bullying Campaign. They also had some pink paint on their faces or arms, our own pink symbols of spreading the message of aroha and manaakitanga loud and proud.
The children also learned signs while re-enacting the “We’re Going in a Bear Hunt” story. Then, to cap it all off, Harriet also taught the nga tamariki to sing Happy Birthday in NZ sign language which they can add to their birthday song repertoire for our celebrants. How awesome! As a sign of gratitude to our guests, the children sang “You are my Sunshine” with the new NZ sign language they have learnt from Harry.
It was an awesome day of celebrating diversity of cultures, identities, and languages.
“He waka eke noa” — We are all in this together