NEWSLETTER
Easter Special - 2022
"Egg hunts are proof that your children can find things when they really want."

Charles M. Schulz, Peanuts
Hi everyone 😊

Easter was a big feature at Happy Hearts throughout April – it lasted a lot longer than a weekend.
Enjoy all the photos – as you can see it was a fun month.

We are very pleased to share that our hygiene practices are making a difference. Aside from a handful of cases in the early stages of the Omicron break-out, Happy Hearts has not seen any new cases in the centre.

As always, we stay vigilant so keep up those great sanitising habits at drop-off and pick-up time.

We are now moving into cooler months. So please read below about the best way to keep your child warm and dry as they continue to enjoy outdoor play throughout autumn.

John & Alina Cook
MOTHER'S DAY

8th May
Happy Mother's Day
to all our special mums, grand-mums and caregivers.

We will be creating some special surprises.
Each room will focus on a different craft or baking for you to enjoy.
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO...
April was Easter Month at Happy Hearts.

Although we have curriculums to follow, our teachers are experts at weaving current events into the everyday programme.

That means – with the shops full of Easter eggs and pictures of the Easter Bunny prominent throughout your child’s world – that Easter is in the classroom for longer than just a weekend.

Easter and bunnies and chicks became part of our arts and crafts programme. These icons made literacy and numeracy a bit more topical and exciting.

Easter stories, songs and dress-up days are all examples of the way we incorporate the event so the children can learn through fun and play. And, of course, the excitement of the actual Easter egg hunt and its chocolate rewards.
And, not only chocolate. On egg-hunt day, we also had another treat – hot chips!! Sadly no photos of this as the delicious chips were all eaten before we could even pick up the camera … they loved them!

Dress-up day for Easter was a big hit. We know how much the children love role-play and what a big part pretend play means to learning and development.

For months we have watched the children as they explore acting out what it is like to be doctors, mummy and daddy, builders, a truck or train driver and many more. They stage tea parties and baking, washing babies and doing each other’s hair. 

So, we weren’t surprised to see a wide range of super-heroes and princesses, unicorns, wild animals or butterflies on dress-up day. 

The children have made the most of any chance for spontaneous play. We have noticed lots of new friendships forming and increased communication as the children explore and navigate friendships and group play. 

We also noticed some children seem to be talking about their new friends at home. So, if you would like to plan some play dates with your child’s classmates, please talk to their Room Teacher and we can pass your information onto the families.
FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR
CHILD’S CLASSROOM

Each room at Happy Hearts is different.

Each age group has specific needs, so every room will focus on their own curriculum tailored to the children in that class.
ROOM 1
to read more about what is the current focus in ROOM 1
ROOM 2
to read more about what is the current focus in ROOM 2
ROOM 3
to read more about what is the current focus in ROOM 3
HAPPY HEARTS & AUTUMN
Autumn is on its way.
That means a change when packing your child’s bag for a day at Happy Hearts.

As the months get cooler it is time to start preparing for rainy-day play. Even on wet days our playground still allows us to explore and enjoy the outdoors. So extra clothes to change into are a must, as well as their wet-bag.
A dry pair of socks, undies and trousers are great to change into after a fun session of puddle-jumping.

If you would like to send in a raincoat or waterproof gear and gumboots, you are more than welcome to leave them at Happy Hearts.
Again, please make sure they are named.
HAPPY HEARTS & TE REO MAORI

We have a strong focus on Te Reo Maori to ensure we are keeping the Te Reo language alive within the centre.

We have been incorporating new Waiata (these include te aroha, tapa toru, E noho e noho) phrases and books. 
We have also started to introduce the tamariki to learning their mihi. The tamariki have responded extremely well to this and have been willing to give their mihi a go in front of their peers and with the support from their teachers. 

We have been working on displaying these mihi in the centre so they are visible to the tamariki and can be a friendly reminder to incorporate these into their daily learning experiences.
HAPPY HEARTS & HOME
WORKING TOGETHER

Communicating with others is a big part of developing socialisation skills. 
As new children join the centre or move over from a previous room, your child will start to extend their social networks and make new friendships.

As they explore and discover new interests, they also form new bonds with other children whom they previously may not have shared a common interest.

As new children come into your child’s life, think about welcoming them into your child’s world at home.

Short or long play dates are enjoyed by all and a great way to further develop social skills.

If your child is hosting a friend, try and stay in the background and let your child do the communicating.

For example, give them the opportunity to share and give a tour of their home, or bedroom and toys.
Suggest your child introduce their friend to other family members.

If it is time for food, prompt your child to ask their friend what they would like to eat rather than directly communicating yourself.

In short, allow your child the room to ‘host’ and care for their friend. This can result in increased confidence, vocabulary and observation skills as your child practices looking after their guests.

ACTIVITY
FUN CRAFT with
RED AND GOLD AUTUMN LEAVES

To make your autumn crown you’ll need to collect a whole lot of autumn leaves!

Go outside, visit a park, or take a walk around your neighbourhood and collect as many different kinds of autumn leaves as you can. Look for big ones and small ones and look for all different colours

When you have collected your leaves grab some light cardboard, (a cereal box works well), and cut it into long strips. 

Measure your child’s head and staple or tape the strips of cardboard into a ring that fits snugly on your child’s head. You might need to use two pieces if you cut your cardboard from a recycled cereal box.

You will need a nice thick paste to glue the leaves to the cardboard. You can use cornflour paste with a bit of pva glue (white school glue) for added stickiness. 
Now the fun part, choose your leaves and glue them to the cardboard. It works best when you put the glue on the leaves rather than on the paper crown.

picklebums.com
See You Next Month!

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T: 09 412 7745 M: 021 352 140
www.happyheartselc.co.nz