Reggio Study Tour presentation

During our November staff meeting, two staff members gave a presentation regarding a Reggio Aotearoa New Zealand study tour to Melbourne that they had recently returned from. I found the photos they showed and centres we were told about to be not only interesting, but also thought provoking. It got me thinking about not only my own practise, but also how my style of practise came to be - why I do what I do. I loved how the centres were based on exploration - children learning through exploring, doing, discovering, building relationships with others and things. This is an aspect I have always felt was important. I believe that children learn best when they are doing, and doing things that are meaningful to them. I went to an early years science course while in London, and something I remember from there was the analogy of a lemon. We could give children a real lemon to explore, or a plastic container that looked like a lemon, or else a photo of a lemon. But the only way they could truly understand was to be provided with a real lemon. The same applies to every aspect of early years learning. The best way to provide a quality learning environment is for the children and the adults to learn how to listen with all the senses. As a team in the nursery, the presentation has impacted on our planning. Not just what we will do, but also how we will display this. I have realised that during the past six months or so, most of my displays have been typed up on a computer. I do know that this makes for a tidy presentation, but I noticed one of the kindergartens shown used only hand written words. I won't go that far, but I was reminded of how it is important for a balance of text to be displayed, and for children to see writing happening. The headings for our planning wall are now hand written, and as they were being written the children showed a lot of interest. Ava sat and really focused on the letters and words being formed. I will try and ensure a lot more of this happens

Use of Te Reo

During our staff meeting (Septemeber 7th 2010), all staff were asked if they could bring in a bicultural resource to share. I brought in a book I had aquired a few years ago titled 'Tangaroa's gift', a New Zealand story of how the paua got it's colours. This book was written in both Maori and English, showing Maori as a text and reinforcing it's value. Having our discussions about the use of Maori in everyday situations made me think though. I do use simple words and phrases, but it is has always been a part of me and where I am from. I do need to keep in mind that not everyone has the same advantage of being exposed to the culture and language in the same way that I was, and I need to be more overt with the knowledge I have. One goal I have set myself is to write up some simple words and phrases in both English and Maori to share with staff in my room, and begin to make some displays for the room and changing room to encourage more natural use of Te Reo.