Rising Stars Preschool New Plymouth

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲
These types of play empower young children to take an active role in their development. By following their natural curiosity instead of structured curriculum, children build vital skills like problem solving, emotional regulation, and persistence while maintaining a deep love for discovery.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐢, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦?
Empowerment/whakamana; child led learning naturally enhances a child’s sense of agency. When we give children the time to choose the direction of their own play, they learn to take ownership of their own ideas.

Relationships/Ngā hononga; Te Whariki states that children learn through responsive interactions with people places and things. In self-directed play, children negotiate rules, test their own theories, and use local resources in a meaningful way.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲?
“At Rising stars preschool, we recognise that play is a crucial part of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual development for nga tamariki. Our aim is to provide access to a variety and enriched play experiences within our centre environment.”

“Through meaningful play experiences, social interaction, and Aotearoa’s early childhood curriculum Te Whariki our professionally trained kaiako support nga tamariki to develop and enhance their mental and emotional wellbeing (taha hinengaro)”

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲
These types of play empower young children to take an active role in their development. By following their natural curiosity instead of structured curriculum, children build vital skills like problem solving, emotional regulation, and persistence while maintaining a deep love for discovery.

𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐬
Agency- children make independent choices about what they do and how they do it. Intrinsic motivation- Children are the leaders of their own learning and explore from their own curiosity, not from adult imposed rewards.
Teachers facilitate learning through a responsive environment, open ended materials and following the children’s interest.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧?
Cognitive development- supports deep critical thinking where children can develop their own working theories about the world around them.
Social and emotional growth- supports skills and strategies in peer negotiation, collaboration and learning to manage their feelings in a safe space.
Independence- children learn to trust their own abilities, recognising their own ability to play and learn.

Part 4 — the final instalment of our Physical Literacy series — has arrived 🌟

This week, we’re looking at how we can help children love movement for life.

Children are more likely to keep moving when it feels safe, playful, positive, and connected to the people around them. Encouragement, choice, time to practise, and simply joining in can all help tamariki build confidence and motivation.

Part 4 also shares a few simple ways families can encourage movement at home through play and everyday routines.

The goal is not to make movement perfect — it is to help children enjoy moving, feel good in their bodies, and keep choosing movement as they grow 💛

Thank you for following along with our four-part series.

Have a question about physical literacy or movement-based learning? Send us a message — we’d love to hear from you.

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 (also known as cooperative play) is an advanced stage of social interaction where individuals work together toward a shared goal. Unlike competitive games with winners and losers, it focuses on teamwork, shared decision-making, negotiation, and building upon each other’s ideas. 😀🤝

At Rising Stars, teachers support collaborative play by creating opportunities for children to work together in small groups, encouraging communication, turn-taking, problem solving-solving, and sharing ideas. 🦋

Teachers model positive social interactions, guide children in resolving conflicts respectfully, and provide open ended resources that promote teamwork and cooperation. Through intentional teaching and responsive interactions, teachers help children build relationships, develop empathy, and learn from one another as they work towards shared goals. 🩷

Part 3 of our 4-part Physical Literacy series has just landed 🌟

This week, we’re looking at how everyday play builds physical literacy.

Children don’t need perfect technique — they need regular chances to move, try, repeat, and have fun. Through simple play like running, climbing, balancing, throwing, dancing, and exploring outside, tamariki build important movement skills over time.

Part 3 also includes a few easy ideas families can try at home, from cushion obstacle courses to throw-and-catch play and outdoor exploratory walks.

Small moments of movement each day can make a big difference 💛

We’d love for you to follow along, try an idea at home, and share this with anyone who may find it helpful.

𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤

O loo galulue faatasi tamaiti ma faia’oga
(𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟) to learn about Samoan culture.

At Rising Stars, it is important that we acknowledge, celebrate, and embrace the diverse cultures and identities represented within our centre community.

Throughout the week we have been learning Samoan words and numbers, making Panipopo (Samoan coconut buns), creating our own tapa cloth while learning about its cultural significance history, and enjoying Samoan music.

This has provided meaningful opportunities for children to develop and appreciation and understanding of Samoan language, culture, and traditions.

We would love for you all to share your culture and family traditions with us.

𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

A social story is a short, simple story used to help children understand social situations, routines, emotions, behaviours, or expectations in a clear and supportive way. Social stories use simple language, pictures, and positive messages to explain what may happen, how others might feel, and ways a child can respond. 🌻📖

At Rising Stars Preschool, we are developing a library of social stories to be shared with our families. The stories can help build confidence, understanding, communication, and social emotional skills by making situations more predictable and easier to understand. 🌈

We have two stories now.

Understanding personal space🧍‍♀️
Playing with others. 😀

Please let us know if you would like to take a story home or if there are any social stories that may be of interest to you and your whanau. 😀

Over the last few weeks, we have had Ashlee with us at the centre. Ashlee is a teacher in training and has brought a wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication to her teaching practice while here at Rising Stars.

Ashlee has made such a positive impact on us all in the short time she has been with us.

At Rising Stars, we love meeting new people and building new friendships. The children and teaching team have truly appreciated your time with us and wish you all the best as you continue with your studies.

We also farewell Cove and Thelma as they head off to school. We have loved having Thelma as part of our teaching team, and Cove has been a kind and fun friend to us all. We wish you both all the very best as you begin this next exciting chapter in your learning journeys.

Part 2 of our 4-part Physical Literacy series has just landed 🌟

This week, we’re looking at how movement supports learning.

For young children, movement is not separate from learning — it helps build focus, body awareness, coordination, problem-solving, memory, and confidence.

Every climb, jump, crawl, balance, dance, and movement game gives tamariki a chance to learn through their whole body.

Part 2 also includes a few simple movement ideas families can try at home through everyday play.
We’d love for you to follow along, try an idea or two at home, and share this with anyone who may find it helpful 💛

Pink T Shirt Day at Rising Stars 🩷

“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒖.” 😍

Pink T Shirt Day supports social and emotional learning by helping tamariki develop empathy, kindness, belonging, and skills for positive relationships.

Today we have created opportunities through art and conversation to talk about emotions and how you could show kindness and empathy towards others.

Pink T Shirt Day aligns with our Early Childhood curriculum.

Belonging/Mana Whenua (feeling safe and included), Wellbeing/Mana Atua (emotional safety), and communication/Mana Reo (expressing feelings and ideas respectfully.

Wearing Pink today helped us create a sense of community and reminds children that everyone belongs and differences are valued.

“𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔, 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔, 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔” 🦋