Dot Kids

During the past month the DOT Kids Early Learning Centre children and teachers have been out and about in the community visiting the Martinborough Library and the residents of Wharekaka where this time, the children tried on some old fashioned children’s clothes. A small group of 4 year olds made regular visits to Martinborough School.

Leading up to ANZAC Day we had discussions on the meaning of ANZAC, made ANZAC biscuits, visited the ANZAC crosses in the Square, and many children, even our youngest baby, attended the local Dawn Service on ANZAC Day.

Mothers were not forgotten on their special day as the children made lavender scented soap for Mothers’ Day.

The month has also been one of celebration – we were not sure what we were celebrating, but the children began to be interested in celebrations and so this is the journey we went on.

It seemed that to celebrate we needed to make lots of decorations, and over the weeks we set about using lots of glue, sellotape, paper and balloons to make streamers and paper chains, ‘pretend’ fairy lights, novelties to go in ‘parcel-parcel’ (the Pass the Parcel game), a piñata filled with lollipops, and a really sparkly disco ball.

The children said that celebrations involve food so we held a sausage sizzle at lunchtime with some of the older boys helping to cook the sausages. On other days we made our own banana and chocolate chip ice cream, and pizzas, and went shopping for supplies for the Disco.

The grand event of the month was the DOT Kids DISCO, held on Wednesday 13 May. There was such an amazing turnout of families! The evening started with families eating their takeaway dinner, then DJ Gravy (Glenn Schofer.) brought his gear along, complete with disco lights, and all enjoyed dancing to his music. We finished off with the piñata – great excitement!

Further celebrations are planned as we learn about the various cultures of our families, starting with Samoan Language Week. We will be cooking Samoan food as well as learning songs and reading stories. All this leads up to our Matariki Celebrations in mid June.