# Relationships

The power of connecting with people...

Humans are social beings and relationships are fundamentally important to our well-being.  Our relationships with others stimulate feelings of belonging and with that sense of belonging, happiness and contentment thrive.  

The teaching team at Bream Bay Kindergarten are very mindful of this and therefore create opportunities for children to make connections and develop relationships.  In fact we believe relationships are the very foundation of a good settling routine...if children really feel that sense of belonging, they're generally happier and tend to settle quickly into the daily life of kindergarten. 

It's in our best interest to have happy well settled children, as this is when optimal learning can happen...happy, playful children are learning children!

Angela Owens states that “When children experience secure, supportive relationships, they feel respected and valued. This fosters the development of their self-confidence and their ability to act as independent agents in their personal care, and in the development and maintenance of successful relationships with others” (2012).  

Building relationships at kindergarten begins with a meaningful beginning through mihi whakatau...

 Haere mai, welcome...in the words of Dave Dobbyn "welcome home...we've made a space for you now"

 After introductions are made and time is taken to kanohi ki te kanohi, connect 'face to face' with each other, teachers are in a better position to nurture relationships between children based on their strengths and interests.  We strive to set children up for success, creating environments that foster friendships through co-operation and collaboration together.

The power of friendship...finding common interests and having fun together in an inviting play space.

 Zoey and Jaia build 'New York' together.

 Braxton and Kiarn 'shoot the breeze' while making 'cups of tea' together

Family ties offer another dimension to developing that sense of belonging at kindergarten.  How amazing it is to be able to share the kindergarten journey with the most important people in your life. 

Brothers and sisters share the love and cousins look after cousins.  

Whanau is so precious!

  “When children feel well, happy, secure and socially successful they are able to fully participate in, and learn from, the daily routines, play, interactions and experiences in their early childhood setting.” (Angela Owens, 2012).

It's that simple really, relationships are key!

To our extended kindergarten family old and new, we wish you the warmest welcome to kindergarten...it's been an awesome first week!  We're looking forward to creating some fun filled memories as we journey together through your child's early learning years.

Arohanui,

Tania

A Visitor To Kindergarten.

With calf club day fast approaching at local schools, there was an opportunity for a special guest to make an appearance at kindergarten. Lily the lamb visited kindergarten during the last week of term. 

"Children tend to value animals simply because they are. They recognize the intrinsic value of animals - that simply because they are living creatures, they are important" (Born Selly, 2014).

The children quickly got used to having a lamb at kindergarten. Lily simply became a part of the kindergarten environment. The children would stop to see what she was doing, watch her sleep, or try to get a cuddle as they played. 

There are many benefits of having animals in the early childhood setting which include:

• an opportunity for children who do not have animals at home to observe, interact, and make connections with animals
• an opportunity for children to develop an awareness of the world outside of themselves and their own needs
• an opportunity to facilitate social and emotional development  

Research shows that caring for an animal can increase feelings of self esteem and confidence, giving children a sense of pride and accomplishment.
The children were curious about Lily and found different ways to explore the experience of caring for a lamb.

Kaden and Benjamin encouraged Lily to play a game of chase...

Kendall-Lee and DJ stopped Lily from getting into any trouble in the garden.

Hemi and Poseidon enjoyed leading Lily all over kindergarten...

...while Lily enjoyed leading Ella-Breeze all over kindergarten!

However, feeding Lily proved to be the most popular way to care for her.

 "The power of caring for an animal and playing a role in the animal's well-being can be very meaningful for a young child. ...In their early years, children are busy trying to understand how they are capable and competent. Giving children the opportunity to participate in meaningful caring activities for a vulnerable creature can build tremendous confidence" (Born Selly, 2014).

"When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul" (A.D. Williams)

When spring gives you lemons....make lemonade!

With all the abundance of fruit on the lemon tree we decided it was time to try out the lemons at kindergarten. Lemonade was on the menu!

First we needed a recipe.....

A little lemon juice, a bit more water, a spoonful of sugar and perfect! Ok maybe a little more sugar.... 

Will it be sweet or will it be sour?

"I quite like Lemonade, actually I love it" said Lucas

"Its not sour, yeah it is a bit sour" said Kendall-Lee

"Its not sour" said Tahlia

It was quite a challenge manipulating the lemons and juicing them, we had to squeeze hard with our fingers to get all the juice out! Then we had to hold it steady as we poured the juice into our cup, careful not to spill any. 

Finally stirring the sugar into our drinks so that the liquid and sugar combined...

"Look I squeezed it all!"

"It tastes like lemons, its not sour for me" said Kataraina

As the children made lemonade they took turns sharing the lemons and the lemon juicers. Those who hadn't used the juicers before sought the help of others. The children encouraged each other and talked through the process as they worked.

 Vygotsky believed that social relationships are at the heart of learning and that the importance of those relationships lies particularly in their ability to extend learning (Moyett, 2014).

Concentration!!

"Its YUM!" said Isla

"Its good, it tastes like sugar" said Manaaki

"A bit sour" said Zoey.

"A strong sense of well-being is fundamentally connected to children's sense of belonging, being and becoming. When children feel well, happy and secure and socially successful they are able to fully participate in, and learn from, the daily routines, play, interactions and experiences in their early childhood setting" (Owens, 2012).