NEWSLETTER
Lockdown Edition
2021
The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.

― Winston Churchill
WELCOME 😊

Hi everyone and congratulations on getting through another Level 4.

As much as we did not enjoy lockdown and floods and rainstorms and anything else that has been thrown at us in the past few weeks, we were grateful for technology and the ability to keep things running.

It was a challenging time but, luckily, we were able to swing into action and start up the Zoom sessions easily and quickly. Our teachers were well practised from last year.

It was the highlight of our day to watch all the little ones interact with their friends online.
We understand ‘virtual play-dates’ are the fashionable trend. 😊

We are delighted to be back at the centre and are looking forward to welcoming back even more children when the levels move down. Our safety and hygienic practices are all in place to keep everyone safe and well.

Give us a call if you have any queries.


John & Alina Cook
LEVEL 3

Drop Off & Pick Up


Level 3 protocol means drop-offs in the foyer and social distancing.


Please ensure you use our digital sign-in system to sign your children in/out.
We use this for contact tracing.

Our COVID QR code is displayed for easy scanning.
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO...
Last month when lockdown was announced we thought “we’ve all been through this before - so this time it is just a matter of getting on with getting on”.

The focus was to keep up a routine and stay connected with the children.

Our teachers met on-line and shared ideas on how to get through Level 4, then transition through the lower levels.

We had a lot of feedback in 2020 about how the Zoom mat-times provided continuity for the children, the teachers and the programmes.

So, we knew this was a great place to start. Maintain routine and keep our programmes moving forward.

This year we had a bit more time to add some extra pizzazz to the sessions. Our resident-artist, Room 3 teacher Kaylie, introduced some fun art activities into the online sessions. A great way to make learning numbers fun.
We even had an on-line lesson on how to communicate in sign-language.

Scroll down if you would like to see that video again.

Even the wet weather hasn’t slowed us down.

After a rainstorm there are puddles to splash in, and small creatures to explore and discover.

Rainstorms mean mud pies and creating rivers and building dams to float our boats.

Outside is brisk and invigorating, before we venture inside where it is warm and snuggly with story-time and songs.
So much to learn while having fun.

But we can’t wait until we are all together again.
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
LEARN SOME SIGN LANGUAGE WITH HAPPY HEARTS
Communicating through technology kept us all going through lockdown.

Alana took a moment to pay homage to another important communication tool -
Sign Language.
RECIPES & ACTIVITIES
Staying healthy in lockdown has been a big focus for many people.

Before lockdown we had been enjoying talking about healthy food and exercise.

The Olympics were a big topic at the time and the children enjoyed talking about how good food helped an athlete stay fit and healthy.

We had lots of fun staging our own Olympics with Shot-Put, Hurdles and our own version of the Long Jump.

That afternoon children enjoyed making healthy smoothies with Kaylie for their afternoon tea. There was lots of discussion about healthy food choices. 
Now that Spring is around the corner you can make some delicious smoothies at home.
Here are some easy Springalicious recipe suggestions.

And a great craft idea for the kids to make individual Rabbit cups.
Springalicious Smoothies

Step 1) Let the kids decorate cups.

First, get creative with your faces! You can use glass cups, or clear plastic cups. For decorating supplies, get:

  • Glue (we used hot glue because it’s faster and sticks very well)
  •  A sharpie marker
  • Googly eyes
  • Pom poms
  • Paper or card stock (for ears)
  • And pipe cleaners


Step 2) Choose your ears.

Next, cut triangles from paper or card stock, and punch two holes in the triangles so you can slide a straw through it for an “ear.”

Give each one of your bunnies two of these. I also love how our carrot ears turned out! We just peeled a carrot, and sliced it in half, so the two sides were identical. 
 

Step 3) Make your smoothies

You definitely don’t have to make every color smoothie for breakfast! Feel free to choose one or two colors, and stick with it for all the smoothies. (Cleaning out your blender five times isn’t exactly a quick activity.) You can choose from all the recipes to the right.
 

Step 4) Have fun!

Remember, these kitchen memories and traditions you have with your kids are meant for bonding and having fun. If they don’t drink or eat everything you lovingly make for them, that’s OK! They’ll still remember the fun they had decorating cups together and spending time with you.

Ingredients:

Pink Smoothie
  • 1 1/2 cup milk almond milk or soy milk works as well
  • 2 cup frozen strawberries

Green Smoothie
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Orange Smoothie
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 1 cup frozen mango chunks
  • 1 frozen banana

Yellow Smoothie
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups frozen mango chunks

Purple smoothie
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups frozen blackberries

Instructions:
Place ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Notes:
Each makes 2 glasses (1 cup each) We like them thick- like ice cream. Add more liquid if you like it thinner.


www.superhealthykids.com
FLASHBACK !!
Here is a quick flashback to our Olympics Event.

The children loved competing and it was awesome to see them encouraging and shouting out for one another - a real sense of comradeship could be seen among the group.

 
Enjoy !!
HAPPY HEARTS & HOME
WORKING TOGETHER

Turn every life situation into a positive one.
- Rhonda Byrne
 
Lockdown brought many challenges, fears and frustrations.
It also brought an opportunity to practise Positivity.
Prior to lockdown we had been focused on developing problem-solving skills and a positive attitude.

Positivity is about finding something good to enjoy, even when a situation is not so great. We talk to the children about what they can accomplish and achieve if they believe in themselves and keep trying.

Staying positive is a useful life skill.
Children learn through experience that bad things happen – but they can also learn that it is their attitude which will help them find a happy feeling again.

Lockdown can result in a ‘vibe’ which children can pick up on more easily than we think.

So keep a store of positive phrases at the ready when tensions start to run high, or cabin-fever kicks in. Remind your child about the positives such as extra special time together, or the opportunity for favourite activities such as baking or outdoors exploration.

Have a joke telling session (there are loads of hilarious kid-jokes on google). Have some fun with silly jokes and loud laughter.
A good case of the giggles can lift any unhappy mood.

If jokes aren’t your child’s thing, then you can always invite the “Tickle Monster” to tea. 😊

Another way to maintain positivity is to keep with routine.
Even if your usual routine has flown out the window, invite your child to create new timetables for your family to follow.

Children are happy and positive when they feel safe and secure in knowing what is going to happen next.

Even when the world is in disorder, a simple regular routine can help your child feel order in their own world.

It can be tricky with parents working from home – but try and commit to regular times that your child can expect in their day. From chores such as table-setting or teeth-brushing, through to a scheduled ‘family time’ with a book, card game, or outdoor activity.

When your child’s routine is in control, they feel in control. And feeling in control is a natural precursor to feeling positive.
Looking Forward To Seeing You Again!

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