Our ECE community creates Christmas magic for tamariki
As the year draws to a close and the festive season unfolds, our ECE community are busy creating magical moments for the children in their care.
Shaoren Feng
For Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) graduate, Shaoren Feng, the Christmas season provides the perfect opportunity to involve his centre’s community.
A kaiako at Central Hastings Early Learning Centre, Feng shares how teachers, children and whānau worked together to pull off a special Christmas party.
“Our tamariki sang beautiful festive waiata, creating a joyous atmosphere for whānau and the wider community. Santa made an appearance, and there were plenty of treats to be enjoyed. We organised face painting and set up a bouncy castle, and I also gave a juggling show!
“Whānau loved the celebration and expressed their gratitude, thanking us for the care and teaching we provide to their children. It was heartening to witness the genuine appreciation from our extended community and a great way to end the year.”
NZTC alumni and Associate Teacher, Minyu Yang, shares how teachers at Massey Child Care Centre Albany, engaged children in a festive month-long learning plan.
“Alongside the joyous traditions of Christmas, there is a treasure trove of learning opportunities, keeping our children happily engaged and growing in knowledge throughout the merry month of December.
“Our learning journey this month is intentionally designed to nurture our young ones in becoming effective collaborators and compassionate group members, who can express their aroha and gratitude through arts and crafts.”
Activities included decorating the classroom, painting special Christmas ceramic plates, creating Christmas cards and writing letters to Santa.
Minyu Yang
The month-long celebration also included making a Christmas tree, concocting reindeer food with oats, cinnamon and sprinkles, and enjoying a shared afternoon tea with children and whānau.
She says incorporating children’s voices in the festive planning, underpins the ‘participating and contributing’ key competency found in the New Zealand Curriculum.
“During hui times, there were animated discussions about room decorations, with ideas ranging from jingle bells and Christmas balls to twinkling lights!
“Actively listening to their voices has been crucial, reinforcing the significance of supporting the children as active participants in our learning community, ensuring their ideas and enthusiasm are integral to our festive preparations.”