Little Citizens

A few weeks ago, our Kōtuku tamariki celebrated Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa (Samoan Language Week), and we're excited to share some highlights with you!

The children explored Samoan symbols and patterns through art, learned about the Samoan alphabet and its unique sounds, and enjoyed a delicious chicken sapasui lunch together. They also continued practising for Polyfest, learning to sing and move to "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Samoan.

We love creating opportunities for our tamariki to learn about the cultures, languages, and traditions that are important to their friends and their aiga. These experiences help foster a sense of belonging, understanding, and respect for the diverse world around us.

Check out the photos to see some of the learning and fun that took place during our celebrations!️

🎵 Music in the Kiwi Room 🎵

Our Kiwi room tamariki have been having lots of fun exploring music through singing, dancing, and movement.

Using instruments, scarves, beanbags, poi, and rākau sticks, children have been discovering different sounds, rhythms, and ways to express themselves. Music is a wonderful open-ended experience where every child can join in their own way, whether independently or alongside friends. 🎶✨

The sandpit has been a busy place lately! 😊

Our tamariki have been working together to build amazing sandcastles, dig tunnels, and create channels for the water to flow through. There has been lots of teamwork, problem-solving, and plenty of muddy fun as they test just how much water their creations can handle before they collapse!

It's always great to see the children sharing ideas, helping each other, and getting stuck into imaginative play while exploring and learning together. 🌞🏖️

🐢🎉 Happy Birthday, Raymond! 🎉🐢

Celebrating Raymond’s birthday has become a much-loved tradition here at Little Citizens. Our tamariki always enjoy visiting Raymond, singing Happy Birthday, and helping her celebrate. Now in her early twenties, Raymond certainly enjoys all the extra attention - and a special treat or two!

Throughout Raymond’s birthday week, tamariki took part in a range of fun experiences, including art, construction, baking, and learning a new game called Turtle Tag. The Tūī room children also helped make a delicious turtle cake, which was enjoyed by everyone!!

The Kiwi Room tamariki have been loving the warm water and bubbles while washing the baby dolls with their kaiako 🛁🫧

There were also lots of opportunities for rich verbal language as kaiako labelled different parts of the baby dolls’ bodies and talked with the children about the warm water and bubbles “popping”.

This kind of play helps children learn to be gentle and caring, while also practising turn taking as they share the babies and bath space with their friends.

Such a fun and simple way to learn through play 💛

The Tui tamariki have started practising for Polyfest coming up in September (date to be advised), and yesterday they were very lucky to have some of our Kōtuku tamariki come and help teach them the actions to the songs. 💛

The children practised a welcome song in Kiribati, Te Aroha with sign language, and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” in Samoan.

It was wonderful to see the Kōtuku tamariki take their leadership roles so seriously, showing patience, concentration, and encouragement as they supported the younger children. It was also a great helping hand for the kaiako too!

Tino pai te mahi everyone! 👏

Polyfest is such a special community event that helps children build confidence, performance skills, rhythm, teamwork, and the important skill of being a supportive audience member

🧸 A Trip to the Hōhipera Teti Pea – Teddy Bear Hospital 🩺

Ruma Kōtuku took a pahi (bus) trip to Tūhura Otago Museum to take part in the Teddy Bear Hospital experience.

Tamariki brought along their special furry friends to be checked over by doctor and dental students. From checking ears and heartbeats to placing plasters on scratches, there was plenty to keep our Little Citizens busy!

During our visit to the Hōhipera Teti Pea, we saw tuakana-teina relationships in action as tamariki were given the opportunity to spend time up close with doctors and dentists in a fun and relaxed environment.

What a wonderful way to build confidence, curiosity, and positive experiences around healthcare ❤️

✏️ Letter Learning in Kōtuku Room ✏️

In the Kōtuku Room, we have been exploring a new letter each week, learning about its shape and phonetic sound together.

The tamariki are really enjoying the opportunity to practice their writing skills in a more structured way, building confidence as they learn. Even some of the Tui children were keen to join in on the fun!

📚✨ World Book Day at Little Citizens ✨📚

The tamariki and kaiako at Little Citizens had so much fun celebrating World Book Day by dressing up as their favourite book characters!

From superheroes, to sneaky cats, and even a dinosaur or two 🦖, there were lots of creative costumes and smiles all around. It was a wonderful day filled with imagination, storytelling, and fun together.