LATEST STORIES
Being creative and expressive!
In our Kea room the current group focus is around supporting our tamariki to build their communication skills. This includes using non-verbal communication (sign language) and verbal communication with their peers and teachers. To support and encourage our tamariki to engage in a group experience, we decided that we would create a mural space.
Having this space to paint together was a great way to facilitate an activity that requires tamariki to communicate with each other as they share space and share resources. The mural painting also gives our tamariki the opportunity to be creative and expressive in a different way, and in a way that requires collaboration with their peers.
Initially, the turn taking was challenging for some, but as the teachers and tuakana role modelled ways to communicate and support the children's developing language, the activity area became a very engaging, language rich and positive place to be! As the tamariki painted, we talked about the colours they were using, experimented and theorised about what happens when you mix different colours together, and they spoke about what they were painting. Experiences like these are a fun medium for tamariki to learn in.
He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge. It is communication.