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Celebrating Cultural Events at BestStart Kenderdine Road
Here at BestStart Kenderdine, we celebrate all cultures by acknowledging and embracing cultural events at the centre. This gives teachers the opportunity to celebrate alongside parents and tamariki, helping to build a strong bond with whānau. Through these celebrations, tamariki’s languages, cultural values, and traditions are affirmed, allowing them to feel confident as part of the ECE environment.
Fijian Language Week was a great success, with teachers bringing in ideas, resources, and Fijian artefacts for the tamariki. We enjoyed dancing, singing, practising basic Fijian words, and sharing stories about Fiji. Fostering culturally and linguistically appropriate communication with whānau, parents, extended family, and the wider community is essential to strengthening these connections.
Matariki was also a significant celebration, where we prepared soup for our tamariki, with parents contributing vegetables for the meal. Tamariki participated in music and movement activities, including poi dance and using rākau sticks. They expressed their creativity by making stars and koru designs and reading books on Matariki.
Samoan Language Week was another highlight, as one of our parents joined to do weaving with the children, sharing stories about Samoan ancestors, artefacts, and traditions. We practised basic Samoan words, sang songs, and did traditional Samoan dances. These activities help enrich children’s learning and development by encouraging whānau and community participation in the curriculum.
We also celebrated Cook Islands Week, where tamariki embraced island life themes. They learned basic Cook Islands words, sampled island foods, and explored the lifestyle of Cook Islands ancestors. They made creative art pieces using paper and leaves, deepening their connection to cultural heritage.
During Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi), tamariki learned about the bond between brothers and sisters, developing an understanding of Hindu traditions and how these bonds are celebrated.
At BestStart Kenderdine, we acknowledge and value the diverse cultural backgrounds our tamariki bring to the ECE environment, appreciating the knowledge each child shares.