A Word From Your OSCAR Advisor
Nga mihi o te Tau Hou ki a koutou katoa - Wishing you all a very happy New Year.
How wonderful to see all those smiling faces, fresh back from adventures with their families.
I’ve been sitting today watching a group of young boys and girls playing at our local swimming hole. As they swim, dive, chat and test their skills I marvel at their confidence and camaraderie. Smaller boys watch with awe as the older ones dive and bomb in search of the loudest “KA- BLOOOHM” and little fish flee into deeper waters. Little girls squeal and giggle as they challenge each other to keep up, drawn to the gooey slime that grows around the rocks. Their enjoyment of the world around them and each other is deep in their very nature. Playing is at the heart of all their understanding.
Play
Play in its broadest sense will offer children freedom to follow their dreams, to explore their individual interests and to experience the passion of others. It will allow children to express themselves, to affirm and support their right to make choices, to discover their own solutions and offer opportunities to extend children’s understanding of the world beyond their immediate experience. An excellent OSCAR service will enrich the play opportunities available to children by considering play in its widest possible sense and making opportunities and choices relevant and real.
Children love to play with their peers and opportunities to play freely will help them to grow in independence and curiosity. Their esteem and sense of self worth will blossom even brighter with encouragement and praise from adults, especially adults about whom they care and respect. Praise is most effective when it is specific “Wow, I love the way you listen so carefully to your friends” and reflects effort “You’re getting better at that every day!” and achievement “I’m so proud that you made it to the top today” Acknowledge and praise the behavior you want to see more of!
Childrens Day 2010
Children’s Day 2010 uses PRAISE as its theme this year. Children’s Day is our national day to recognise and celebrate our children. Children’s Day is officially the first Sunday in March. OSCAR programmes might like to take part in community events, organize an event for themselves and their families or to celebrate with their children in the week leading up to Children’s Day. www.childrensday.org.nz will give you plenty of ideas about how to celebrate, organize an event and get the media to your event.
Settling In
All over the world New Year is celebrated in different and unique ways. Look for things you could adapt to welcome your youngsters back to OSCAR. Heading back to school brings all sorts of excitement as well as uncertainty. There’s a lot to get used to in the first few weeks for our youngest ones. Try to make them feel as safe, secure and welcome as you can, by finding them buddies to help them be in the right place at the right time and by offering quiet, familiar activities where they can play “alongside” their peers until they work out how they will fit in. Playdough, Duplo, farm animals, army men, drawing, cutting and pasting, books to browse and sandpit or water play will enable little people to settle in.
Playdough Recipe
Mix these ingredients together in a large bowl:
-
2 cups of plain flour
-
1 cup salt
-
2Tbs cream of tartar
Add the following and mix well then knead on a clean surface.
Get Wet
February is the hottest month of the year and after a day in the classroom most children crave to get wet and cool off. Encourage togs or a change of clothes, plenty of sunscreen, and a hat. Use the shade available for lots of outside play and some chilling out too. If you don’t have access to a pool you’ll have to think of tricky ways to cool off. Look inside for some games to play with water.
On Ya Bike!
Children will build esteem through success and mastering new skills. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone for most children. February is BIKEWISE Month and the perfect opportunity to get children on two wheels! Being able to ride adds fitness, fun and independence. www.bikewise.org.nz
Conference 2010
Enrolments open in February and will be “on-line” this year. There are plenty of workshops to choose from and oodles of social activities. Get yourselves geared up and ready to Go Go Go!!
Autumn Assistance Funding
It seems like the last funding round has only just finished and lots time for the next batch to start thinking about their applications. If your programme applies for funding in the AUTUMN OSCAR FUNDING ROUND, keep your eyes peeled for application forms at the beginning of March. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you’d like a hand putting your application together, especially if this is your first time making an application.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 7 April 2010
Did you know??
-
Coca Cola was originally Green
-
Strawberry is the only fruit that has its seeds on the outside
-
Brazil nuts only grow in rainforests
-
Watermelons grow wild in the Kalahari Dessert in Africa
-
Eating large amounts of carrots will turn your skin orange
-
Strawberries and red peppers have more vitamin C than oranges
Regards
Odette
Work and Income Childcare Coordinators
|
Kaitaia |
Heather Sole |
Phone 09 901 0435 |
Mobile 029 2003372 |
| Kaikohe |
Lorraine Yakas |
Phone 09 901 7216 |
Mobile 029 2003371 |
| Whangarei Central |
Jo Jones |
Phone 09 983 0567 |
Mobile 029 200 3370 |
Professional Development Opportunities
Whangarei - Creative Construction
Another ‘have a go’’ workshop… with opportunities to try out different three-dimensional creative projects. These activities will appeal to children who like to tinker, make and build.
| Date |
Saturday 13 March |
| Time |
1.00pm - 4.00pm |
| Venue |
Hurupaki School Hall, 20 Dip Road, Kamo |
| RSVP |
Odette - 09 407 4969 or 021 221 2313 or 
The Northland OSCAR Network - 09 430 7405 or
|
