What a magical day we had celebrating our Teddy Bear Picnic with tamariki and whānau!
We gathered to share kai, our tamariki enjoyed dancing, art and craft, and most importantly, we all spent special time reading stories together with the favourite fluffy friends of our tamariki.
This celebration wasn’t just about fun (though there was plenty of that!)
It was also part of our Early Reading Program, where we focus on building tamariki’s love for books and stories from a young age. Reading with whānau is one of the most powerful ways to spark curiosity, grow vocabulary, and strengthen early literacy skills.
Our tamariki were so proud to bring their teddies, listen to stories, and retell their own. We saw wonderful examples of oral language, imagination, and connection. The joy on their faces showed us just how meaningful these shared moments are.
We also kindly shared some tips with our Whanau: Keep the magic going at home by reading with your child each day, even just 10 minutes makes a big difference!
Ask them about their favourite part of a story, or encourage them to retell it in their own words. Ngā mihi nui to our amazing Jones whānau for joining us.
Together, we are laying the foundation for lifelong learning and a love of reading.