We are very lucky our dwelling is so close to some awesome parks and playgrounds, not to mention Kien's daycare just across the road. It's pretty awesome to be so close to the central city, and yet we are surrounded by leafy trees, and just down the road is 8 hectares of open space. Western Park - otherwise known as Our Park, according to Kien. He's been coming here for as long as he can remember.
Ever since we gave Kien his balance bike for his 4th birthday he's been riding it to and around the park. Here's where I hear the soundtrack to Fiddler on the Roof.
Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When did they?
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears.
OMG I sang that when I was at Intermediate! Now I want to cry.
Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the years.
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers.
Blossoming even as we gaze.
He stopped to befriend a man and his helicopter. What's new?
~~~~~
One of the teachers from daycare wrote a learning story about Kien and sent it to us a few weeks ago. It is so good to see how much of an interest they take in developing the children. Here's what Melissa had to say.
Paper Planes
This morning you were interested in making a paper plane, Kien. You had a piece of paper in hand. I asked you how you were going to do this, and you replied, "I know, we'll get the paper plane book." You knew just where it was as you led me to the high shelf, and spotted it out of so many books lined up.
We sat on the couch together and you looked through the book. It was full of instructions on how to make lots of different paper planes, and you chose the one you wanted to make.
The instructions for making the plane were quite complex, so we talked about how to follow the steps and what the different symbols meant. I encouraged you to have a go but you were a little unsure. We talked through each step, and I helped you with one side of the plane, while you watched and tried the other side. This gave you more understanding of the step required.
As you looked at the book and your piece of paper you said "Ah, fold it, fold it," as if you were making connections between the book and the 3D model.
What learning do I think is happening here?
Kien is again exploring his interest in construction. It is great to see this interest weaved into different curriculum areas and materials. While the instructions for making the planes are quite tricky, Kien persevered and he seemed to enjoy the opportunity to construct in this way.
Opportunities and possibilities?
We will make this book available to Kien. Other children have also started engaging in this interest so this may be a good way to encourage a small group to work together and share their knowledge to achieve their goal.
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At Grey Lynn Park there is a paddling pool that is perfect for kids to splash around on a hot summer day. I took Kien there the other day. He loved it.
He sat in the sun to warm up again after being in the pool for ages. He wanted to sit by himself, he told me.
He found a branch of agapanthus on the ground when he was exploring and brought it back to me. "Here, Mummy. I found these beautiful flowers for you", he said.
Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years. One season following another, laden with happiness and tears.
