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Whakawhanaungatanga
Kia Ora, my name is Stacey Brady. I am the head teacher in the Potiki (babies) room at Best Start Russell Road Palmerston North. I have 15 years teaching experience and really enjoy the close relationships that I have made with the tamariki here.
My teacher inquiry is about whakawhanaungatanga and I just want to explain and share what we do here at BestStart Russell Road to foster and create close relationships with our children and whanau.
Whakawhanaungatanga is more than just making close relationships. It is described as the ‘glue’ that holds people together. You would have heard the old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” we are an integral part of the village.
The first step is having close relationships with your team and yourself. Most of the Kaiako here at Best Start Russell Street have been working together for over 10 years, which is a fundamental part of our relationship building process and philosophy.
A big part of my philosophy and practice is showing aroha. This encompasses calmness from the teachers, maintaining a calm slow pace that gives young children space and time to lead their own learning. Also being responsive to children’s verbal and non-verbal cues and signals.
What this looks like in the Potiki room?
Some examples that are used in our everyday practice are:
- Letting the children decide who they want to settle with in the morning.
- Routines and rituals are calm and respectful.
- Giving the children “wait” time. Just waiting to see what they want to do, or be with.
- Giving the tamariki uninterrupted play time, letting them play without all the questioning and discussions. Just being close by for support and guidance if they need us.
- There is no time frame on children’s routines, everything is individual and unhurried.