Emotional competence includes understanding what we are feeling and why we are feeling it, as well as appreciating how others may be feeling and the impact of our actions on them. It also includes responding to our feelings and expressing them appropriately and, when the feelings are strong or difficult to manage, in ways that help us calm down and feel better. MOE 2020.

At Pre-School this seems to form the basis of our daily mahi. With young children one of our many goals is to support them socially and emotionally. The Ministry of Education has created a wonderful document called He MāpunaTamaiti.

 https://tewhariki.tki.org.nz/assets/Uploads/files/He-Mapuna-te-Tamaiti-complete-book.pdf

We undertook a small review using their self assessment tool. This helped us reflect on our practice as kaiako and how we can improve our effectiveness in this area of learning. This will form the basis of our internal evaluation as a team this year. Parents, you may also find some useful strategies in this book to add to your parenting kete (basket). Children who can manage their emotional responses to life's ups and downs and can work through conflict, disappointment and frustration are much more likely to grow into self-managing young people and adults with positive life outcomes ( Morkel & McLaughlin, 2015)

Haere Ra. As many of you may be aware, I will be leaving as Head of Pre-School to take up a new  job opportunity at the end of term. The team are excited to welcome Rachel, who brings skills and strengths which complement the team and the passion they have for play-based learning programme. Exciting times ahead in our busy Pre-School.

ngā manaakitanga

Lyndell