All posts by Storypark

I Hate You! Not Really…

On Mother’s Day, my five-year-old son created an original paper and crayon card with bold capital letters that declared, “Your the best mom.” There were yellow daffodils because that’s my favorite flower. And there was no attempt to make “your” into “you’re” – which is okay when you’re five. I got teary-eyed, he smiled proudly, and I knew I was,...

/ July 20, 2017

Are we protecting or exposing children?

All children have the right to experience quality care and learning opportunities in an environment that provides for their well-being, health and safety, let’s explore what that really means… So we know that a strong sense of health and wellbeing is supported by good nutrition, an active lifestyle & provides children with the confidence, energy and optimism required for them...

/ June 29, 2017

Nature and the Reggio Emilia approach – Dr Anne Meade

Today our guest blog post is from Dr Anne Meade, who is one of Storypark’s advisors and an inspiration to educators across New Zealand and beyond. I grew up in the Wairarapa. My parents and extended family on both sides were farmers and, therefore agricultural researchers. I still have my grandfather’s daily diaries that are filled with weather and soil...

/ June 12, 2017

So they like to put on dresses

The Storypark blog shares diverse opinions from educators and parents all over the world. Today our guest blog post is from the author of ‘Uplifting Early Childhood‘. What are your thoughts? Share them below in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! At one point or another, we’ve all been there, or most of us have. Either as teachers or...

/ May 24, 2017

Dear Zoo – extending children’s interests is different to extending learning

A child would come to my Kinder room on a Monday morning and be very excited to share their stories about their trip to the Zoo on the weekend. So as a graduate teacher 6 years ago, I was so proud of my efforts in setting up a table with beautiful fabric, a range of animals, and some construction materials...

/ April 26, 2017

Embracing a vision for children’s learning with the early years frameworks

When using the Early Years Learning Framework always remember… That it is just that – a framework. It’s not a syllabus, nor a program, not a curriculum, nor a model, neither is it an assessment tool. Above all, it is not a detailed description of everything children will learn. A framework is developed on sound Principles, Practices (Strands – Goals)...

/ April 26, 2017

Ask yourself why

“Is it that we become complacent, lack motivation, are unwilling to become vulnerable to the prospect that we could be wrong? Or all of those?” The Storypark blog shares diverse opinions from educators and parents all over the world. Today our guest blog is from the author of ‘Uplifting Early Childhood‘. What are your thoughts? Share them below in the...

/ April 22, 2017

Enhancing Risky Play – Our Little Secret!

A guest post by Shannon Keane, with the support of the team at YMCA Early Learning Centre Manurewa – Awhina Taiohi. In 2016 YMCA Early Learning Centre Manurewa embarked on a journey to engage parents & children in a consultation process around risky play. This is their story… Change was coming with health and safety policy changes in New Zealand. ...

/ April 22, 2017

Bring the magic

The Storypark blog shares diverse opinions from educators and parents all over the world. Today our guest blog is from the author of ‘Uplifting Early Childhood‘. What are your thoughts? Share them below in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! Why do some mat times fail and others succeed? Do you think that some teachers just have the...

/ April 19, 2017

Sustainability and the NQS: program priority or area of focus – Part Two

This is part two of a series on sustainability in an early learning setting and how to improve on this in relation to the Australian NQS. Read part one here! Some ways I’ve explored and improved upon sustainability in services are by… Actively involving the team, families, community and children throughout all steps of unpacking the subject matter and highlighting...

/ April 5, 2017