Nau mai, hoki mai e te whanau ki Matariki 2011

A huge welcome back to all the Matariki whanau after such a nice break for all. To all the new whanau that have joined us, nau mai haere mai ki o oo taatou kohungahunga.

This is the first week of the first term for us. The children's new kete matauranga will be sent home this week and next with an expectation sheet to be filled out by you the whanau. The explanation of these sheets are attached. So please whanau, fill these out to help us as facilitators support your tamariki learning development.

As well as this, we will be sending home a copy of the readings; 'behaviour management strategies', 'stealing mat time', and 'a case for natural playscapes'.

The behaviour strategies that we have been using for the past year have stemmed from this research paper and has worked quite effectively for the tuakana and taina here at Matariki.

The reading; stealing mat time, questions the notion; are mat times really that important for children of this age group and 'A case for natural playscapes', looks at the importance of the natural environment and the developmental advantages natural play can provide for tamariki. These are three fantastic reads so enjoy.

A daily programme plan will also accompany these readings. This will give you a general idea of what the tamariki will be doing during their time here at Matariki. If you as a whanau have any comments or suggestions regarding these readings, you are more than welcome to share these with the staff or leave a message on this blog. Until next time, mauri ora!