Daily, tamariki are eager to contribute to the ‘The glow box’. An initiative specifically designed, to develop children’s oral language, knowledge and understanding of kindness.
Tamariki choose the glow box recipient for the day and draw pictures to express positive affirmations towards that friend. Through this process, Kaiako record kindness expressed whilst children draw.
Teachers’ role model and scaffold the narratives of kindness, and over time, children develop the ability to apply new language and understanding to a multitude of contexts within their lives.
This connection between oral language and visual expression enables children to consolidate and deepen their understanding of the many concepts of kindness.
As children master the art of kindness, complexity of language evolves. This is when we see children as experts, taking on the role of teacher and teaching kindness to others.
Tahu shows us his big strong muscles.
We've noticed that children's concepts around kindness have grown over time and children are able to express more complex ideas.
“The more language children are exposed to, the more they have to draw on for their own talk. Children’s language skills grow as the children are exposed to new talk experiences and opportunities to practise and consolidate the ones they already have. The ability of children to develop their language and talk is directly related to the quality of the talk and language that is being used in the environment around them.” (Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Kay Margetts, 2016)
At the end of the day, kind words and pictures are shared as a group. In this way children have opportunities to listen to a wide range of kind words being offered by their friends.
“Listening to others talk is the best way to learn to talk. Listening is essential for children’s language development and for some it really isn’t an easy skill to master at the beginning. The ability to listen and concentrate is something that children acquire over time and through practice. Once learned, the skill of listening is used over and over to help them to understand apply new learning.” (Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Kay Margetts, 2016) (Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Kay Margetts, 2016)
Learner identities are enhanced as work is shared, uplifting the giver and the receiver.
"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
Out of the mouths of babes...
A conversation out in the playground with a small group of children...
"Kindness lives at my house" said Isabel.
Aww that's sweet Isabel, does kindness live at kindy too? I asked.
"Yes" answered Tangaroa, "when we hug, that's kindness."
"Maybe it looks like a heart" said Torben.
"Look it's kindness" said Ben pointing to friends playing nicely together in the playground.
"We feel it, I think it's soft: said Bodhi.
"It's small, the kindness, and it can turn big."
Wow, such profound words!
Children are so awesome!!
Arohanui
Tania, Rowan, Sandy and Lauren.
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