Individual Learners' Blogs

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Week 8, Term 3

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

Today we will think a bit more about 4-5 year old children.

At this stage children are grappling with new abilities to take Initiative. Now they are able to do things by themselves without being told to. This is great to encourage, but also means that we need to clearly explain and reinforce the rules and the boundaries so they know the limits and feel safe. The child's conscience is beginning to develop about now so they can begin to internalise the rules they learn.

As you will know from current experience, or memories, this is also the time in which children are full of questions. You don't need to feel that you need to know all the answers! In fact, if you give that impression you could be stopping a great life-long learning quality.

Now is the time to use phrases like:
"Oooh. What a great question!"
"I love the way you ask such good questions!"
"I don't know the answer to that. I wonder how we could find out?"
"Wow! I don't know. What do you think?"
"I don't know. We'll look that up on the computer later shall we?"

This is hugely foundational for developing the skills we want to encourage in children at school because we know that the world they will grow into will require them to be lifelong learners.

Initiative, if encouraged, gives a child purpose and strength of character and mind. Exploring is positive!

Sometimes a child's explorations can be frustrating. Their wondering about what milk looks like when it is spilt all over the floor and what it feels like when you slide through it might be an interesting enquiry!

If you understand what is going on in the child's development, and that the child doesn't have the big picture that you do, it might give you more patience. Instead of punishing the child angrily, you might express disappointment (almost always more powerful than out-of-control anger remember?!), and require them to investigate what it is like to clean it all up with you. This helps the child to own the problem he created and not to think that the problem is that his mum or dad is angry.

A clear consequence for inappropriate 'initiatives' that requires the child to take responsibility for cleaning up their mess helps


him to learn that you still love him, that choices have consequences and that he is old enough to participate in restoration after his own foolishness. This is hugely empowering for a young child who is just beginning to work out what his role is in the family.

Sometimes more good can come from the very thing that exasperates you if you are able to turn it into a teaching opportunity.

Some things in us as parents that can develop initiative and confidence and responsibility well at this age include:
-giving clear rules
-giving consequences that fit the 'crime'
-celebrating and encouraging inquiry and questions
-resisting a fear that without us constantly telling the child or having them in sight all the time they will make too much mess or hurt themselves
-controlling any anger that leads to controlling our children or making them feel fear or shame
-giving responsibility and expecting them to 'step up' as a valuable contributor to the family.

It is amazing to watch the huge change that happens as children grow to 'school age'. We love it!!

Helen Pearson


School News                                                                           

Mahurangi Christian School Parent App
We now have an App for the school, which will enable parents to



-To report an absence, and
-Check the school calendar for upcoming events.
-View the weekly Newsletter.

In addition to these features we now also have the ability to contact all parents through the app with reminders about meetings, and to be able to quickly contact parents if there is an emergency at the school.  Everyone who has downloaded the app onto their phone will receive the notifications like a text message.  The app is completely free.

In order to download the app to your phone, go to your app store and enter “The Parent and Teacher Calendar App”  and then click “install”.  Once installed you will need  to go to the MCS page.


Hockey
Congratulations to the MCS Rockets for winning their hockey tournament at the weekend, and also winning the competition for the best outfits.

This Saturday the Snapdragons and the Strikers will be playing in their tournament.  We wish you all the best for Saturday.

Interschool Hockey
Some of our senior students will be attending Interschool Hockey at Whangateau School on Tuesday 15th September (save day 16th August).


Wanted
We would like any nails that people wish to give us for the carpentry table.

Room 1 is also in need of old phone books.  If you have any old phone books that you no longer need, could you please send them into school.

Is there anyone who can help us with sewing some cushion covers for us to make Room 3/4 look really smart? Please let Helen know if you are able to help.


Assembly
This Friday, Room 1  will be taking assembly.   Parents, caregivers and friends are all welcome to attend.


Praying for the school
Every Monday morning from 8.45 – 9.15 we have prayer time for the school. All parents, caregivers and friends of the school are welcome to attend.


Wanted
We are in need of some older people or mums to listen to children reading on a rostered basis. Can you, or someone you know help once or twice a week for 30 minutes to half an hour? Please contact Helen.


Parent Group
Parent lunches are on again this Friday. Order forms will be coming home with your child this week.


Yummy Stickers
Its that time of year again when we need to collect up all the yummy stickers.  If you have been collecting them at home, could you please send them into school before the end of term.


Community Notices                                                                

Wired to Connect – a Fresh Look at Behaviour and Learning
Internationally renowned Canadian Developmental Psychologist – Dr Gordon Neufeld will be speaking to parents and professionals on the latest in attachment science.  He will be speaking at either The Parenting Place or Laidlaw College from Monday 9th November – Friday 13 November.

Further details can be found at www.gordonneufeld.co.nz, and tickets can be purchased from www.iticket.co.nz

Onboard Skateboard School
Onboard Skateboard School run skate board holiday programs and events.  They will be running a hub event on Sunday 13th September at the Snells Beach Skate Park, from 9am – 12noon.  They provide all the gear, and cost is $5 per person.  Register at www.onboardskate.org.nz.

Homebuilders - Mike Hanne, Vege Gardening for Real Beginners
A two-session course for people on a tight budget, who want to get started on growing vegetables for their families. Especially for those who are renting and only have limited outside space. We’ll start from the very beginning and concentrate on:
·     the best vegetables to begin with 
·     growing in containers
·     getting good soil
·     sowing seeds or buying seedlings
·     ways of saving by sharing tools, soil, seeds and produce with friends

Venue: Homebuilders Family Services, 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth
Dates: 9.30-12.30 Friday 25 September and Friday 2 October. (Children on holiday from school are very welcome at the second class.)


Parenting Evening
Westminster School is running a parent evening with guest speaker Yvonne Godfrey, on Thursday 10th September 7.30pm – 9pm. 

Yvonne Godfrey is the author of Parenting Yadults.  The meeting will be held at Westminster School  - 31 Westminster Gardens, Unsworth Heights.  Gold coin donation.  Further details can be found at www.parentingyadults.com


Blue Light
The local Bluelight Organisation is organizing a trip to Rainbows End for Year 7 & 8 students on Sunday 13th September.  Cost is $35 and includes, entry, transport and a sausage.  Enquires to the Blue Light Office on (09) 423 8545.


Kids Holiday Programme                                                                                                                        
The Presbyterian Church in Warkworth will be running a holiday programme again in the next school holidays.  The programme is for students in Years 1-6.
Theme:   “POLAR EXPEDITIONS”
October 5 – 9,  9.15 - 12.30
Suggested donation: $2 per session                     
Contact  Ann Cates for more  information (425 0966

No comments:

Post a Comment

We welcome your comments on our blogs. Thanks!