13/02/2023
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙂𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙖𝙮
Yes, we know that today is ❤️ Valentines Day, but it's also International 📖 Book Giving Day. The aim is to get books📚 into the hands of as many children👶👧🧒👦 as possible.
Through constant exposure to books and stories, children begin to develop an understanding that symbols ♻️can be read and interpreted by others. This promotes the concept that thoughts, experiences and ideas can be represented through words, pictures, photos and print.
Read to your child every day – books, magazines, letters✉️, and recipes – anything that reinforces the concept that written words mean something. Visit the library together and let your child choose stories to take home – or make your own book together. You could use photos or your child’s illustrations – and invite your child to dictate the text.
What is your child’s favourite book?
03/02/2023
🇨🇳 We all dressed in red today, continuing our Chinese New Year celebrations. Red is considered the colour of luck. Once the new year arrives, red outfits are worn to visit relatives and friends, to exchange blessings and gifts.
Then we had the pleasant surprise of indulging in cold ice blocks on this 31.C day. These were donated from our wonderful neighbour 🥰 Gosh we appreciate your kind thoughtful nature! Thank you!
www.gumdropschildcare.nz
"Where it's great to be small!"
31/01/2023
🇨🇳 ~ Today we created fireworks with paint. The patterns created by the dish brush mimics that of fireworks brilliantly. Fireworks is a celebration at the end of the Chinese New Year.
Rabbit and dragon mask making was popular today too. 2023 sees in the Year of the Rabbit. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in China.
30/01/2023
Top tips for starting back to school after the holidays.
Getting ready for the first day
• If your child is new to the school, visit the school grounds over the holidays to help them get familiar with their new surroundings.
• Walking, scooting, or cycling🚴♀️ to school is a great start to the day. Practice the safest route to school over the holidays – don’t forget a helmet if they’re on wheels.
• It’s easy to let bedtimes 🛌slip during the school holidays. Get your child back into their regular bedtime routine a few days before school starts so they’re rested and ready.
• If your child is anxious 😰about their first day, make time to talk to them about their worries. Ask them how they feel and really listen to what they say, rather than telling them not to worry.
• Help your child get their clothes, sun hat👒, shoes👟, lunch and backpack🎒 ready the night before school starts to reduce stress in the morning.
• Make sure you’ve labelled your child’s lunchbox, drink bottle, sun hat and clothing.
Lunchbox food
• A healthy lunch will give your child energy to last the day, keep them happy, and help them concentrate.
• Kids are often in a rush to finish lunch so they can play, so they’re more likely to eat a lunch that is quick and easy to eat.
• High-sugar or high-fat treats for lunch (biscuits, chippies, juice etc) can make it hard for your child to concentrate later in the day.
• If you can get your child to help pack their lunchbox, they’re more likely to eat it.
• Keeping hydrated is important for concentration too – water is always best.
• Half-fill the drink bottle with water, put it in the freezer overnight and then top up with water from the tap in the morning – this will keep the water nice and cold all day.
Stationery
• Unless the school provides stationery, the school will have a list of stationery you need to buy for your child for the year.
• Make sure you name their stationery items.
• Most stationery shops have deals on in the month before school starts, so it pays to shop around.
Uniform
• Have the uniform ready to go the night before school starts to make the morning easier for you and your child.
• If you’re struggling to cover the cost:
• Ask your school if they have free or discounted second-hand uniforms.
• Ask the school if they will let you spread payments for the uniform throughout the year.
• Check out shops like The Warehouse and Postie Plus for non-branded uniform items (check with your school if these are okay).
Digital devices
• Some schools ask students to bring their own digital device.
• Check prices at your school and/or local suppliers to find the best deal.
• Ask about finance options to help spread the cost out over time.
• Your school may have devices for students to borrow, or they may have a partnership with an organisation that can help.
Sleep
• Sleep is so important for a healthy, happy child.
• Health experts recommend 9-11 hours sleep per night for school-age children, and 8-10 hours per night for teenagers.
• For a better night’s sleep, no screen time one hour before bed – the light from the device sends a signal which makes it hard to fall asleep (even when the light is turned all the way down).
Budgeting for school
• Setting up a regular, small automatic payment to the school can make it much easier to pay any fees that come up during the year (check with your school first to make sure this is okay).
• Schools can ask you to pay for activities or events that are not part of the school curriculum (including exam fees), but school donations (or voluntary contributions) are optional – you can pay all, some, or none of the suggested donation.
• If you do make a donation to your school, you can get a third of the amount back through the Inland Revenue.
• If you're having trouble paying fees for activities or events that are not part of the school curriculum, contact the school principal — you might be able to get help.
Helpful links
• How to support anxious children https://parentingplace.nz/how-to-talk-about/how-to-ease-those-back-to-school-jitters/
• Healthy lunchbox ideashttp://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hfweb-fuelled-for-life/uploads/resources/LunchBoxResourceECE.pdf and https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/school-lunches/
• Buying and using devices for school https://www.netsafe.org.nz/byod/
• How much sleep kids need and why it’s important https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/food-activity-and-sleep/sleeping/helping-children-sleep-better
• What families/whānau need to know about school donations and paymentshttps://education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/School/donations/MOE-Donations-Scheme-Info-A3-FA-Web-16-MAR.PDF
• Getting help for the cost of school uniforms and stationery (including devices) https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/children/school-costs.html
• A list of things you may need to pay for https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00000149
• Where to go for free budgeting advice https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001442
30/01/2023
🇨🇳 As part of our Chinese New Year celebrations, many learning opportunities have been provided to our tamariki. Last week it was making 'dumplings'.
The crescent-shaped dumplings served during Lunar New Year symbolize the brightness of the moon and the promise of a bright and prosperous year ahead.
www.gumdropschildcare.nz
"Where it's great to be small."
27/01/2023
⭐️ Happy School days River ⭐️
Today it was your turn. You finally got to wear the korowai cloak which you helped to make two years ago. We will all miss you so so much! Remember ... Koia kei a koe (you're awesome). Have the best time at school 🥰
25/01/2023
Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) was established by Emperor Huangdi over 3,000 years ago (712-771 BC). It takes place at the end of January or the beginning of February, according to the lunar calendar in use in China. The first three days are the most important and are a time for family, food🍚 and fireworks🎆. The Lantern🏮 Festival is held on the 15th day and signals the end of the New Year period.
Each Chinese New Year is designated as “the year of“ one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, which animal is supposed to characterise that year and all those born in it. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit🐰. In Chinese culture, Rabbit is the symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity. Rabbits are optimistic, kind-hearted, sensible and highly approachable.
Traditionally the noisy nature of Chinese New Year celebrations is meant to fend off evil, as does the colour red. Fireworks and boisterous parades that include lion dances serve this purpose as well.
Here are some ways that you can celebrate Chinese New Year.
- Clean your home and garden to sweep away any bad luck. Encourage your children to help!
- Make paper lanterns and decorate your home with them.
- Gift your children with red envelopes filled with money and sweets.
- Make your own dumplings and taste test different flavours to see which are your family's favourite.
- Watch lion and dragon dances on YouTube
- Go along to the parade held on Sunday 5 February 3pm from the Bridge of Remembrance to Cathedral Square.
www.gumdropschildcare.nz
"Where it's great to be small!"
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