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Spreading Christmas Cheer: Our Card-Making connection with the Local Library
When we learned about a beautiful initiative run by our local libraries—collecting handmade Christmas cards to give to people experiencing loneliness—we knew it was the perfect opportunity to make a difference and connect with our community.
The Power of Kindness
With the preschool tamariki, we began by talking about what loneliness means and how small acts of kindness, like giving a handmade card, can brighten someone’s day. These conversations were filled with thoughtful questions and reflections: “What can we say to make someone smile?” and “How would we feel if we got a surprise card?”. Through these discussions, the children learned that their actions, no matter how small, could have a big impact.
Crafting Christmas Magic
Armed with colorful paper, special Christmas craft tape, markers, and stickers, the tamariki enthusiastically set to work creating Christmas cards. Each card was a unique masterpiece, featuring cheerful drawings, festive decorations. For the younger tamariki, this was a wonderful opportunity to develop fine motor skills as they painted, glued, and carefully placed stickers. For the older tamariki, it was a chance to practice writing and express themselves through thoughtful words and art.
Tying It All Together
To help the tamariki understand where their cards would go, we tied this initiative in with a trip to our local rest home. The visit allowed the children to connect directly with members of the community who may experience feelings of loneliness, especially during the holidays. The smiles and warm interactions shared during this visit reinforced the importance of our fortnightly trips and the wonderful connections that are blossoming with every visit!
A Special Delivery
The Nursery tamariki had the honor of delivering the cards to the library on behalf of the centre. Bundled up in Christmas spirit (and sunhats, of course!), they embarked on a special excursion. At the library, the tamariki each had a turn to place a handful of cards into the special letterbox. This experience gave even our youngest tamariki a sense of pride as their Kaiako reflected on which cards they had created!
Māori Values in Action
Throughout this initiative, we could see Māori values guiding our mahi (work) and interactions. The concept of manaakitanga (hospitality, kindness, and generosity) was evident in the children’s thoughtful card-making and their desire to bring joy to others. The tamariki also demonstrated whanaungatanga (building relationships and a sense of belonging) during their visit to the rest home, connecting with kaumātua (elders) and showing respect for their stories and experiences. These values are central to our centre’s kaupapa, and it was beautiful to see them being expressed so naturally by the tamariki
Lessons to Treasure
This initiative has been a meaningful way for our tamariki to develop empathy, connect with their community, and experience the joy of giving. Through crafting, conversations, and outings, they’ve learned that even small actions can make a big difference.