Early Years Whānau Centre Supports a Strong Foundation for Ongoing Learning by Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education NZ
Early Years Whānau Centre Supports a Strong Foundation for Ongoing Learning
Tina Harrison - Early Years Programmes Lead — December 4, 2023
Whānau and connectedness with each other in our rich language environment at the Early Years Whanau Centre (EYWC) supports children with their language, social skills and learning now and in the future.
2023 in the EYWC has been an action-packed year with trips to the Sumner Fire Station, Community Gardens, Tumble Times, a History walk at the Sumner Site, Arion Farm, and visiting the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra!
We opened Playgroups at Prebbleton on Monday and Wednesday mornings and have continued at the Sumner site on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. This means more children and families can join in all the fun each week with less travel time.
With whānau at the centre of our programme, the playgroups are an excellent opportunity to spend time together immersed in rich language experiences. There are many opportunities for child-led play experiences focusing on rich language, and our music and storytime always include Theory of Mind concepts with thinking and feeling words and lots of repetitive language.
Transitions to school and fond farewells have included Emily, Bentley, Joseph, and Jeremiah.
Throughout the year, we welcomed new tamariki and their whānau including, Miliama, Jonty, and Ellie, and have had Amber-Rose supporting us on work experience for Terms 3 and 4. Olivia Townsend officially joined our team as Teacher Support.
We love running the Preschool Residential Courses and have met whānau from around the country. The three-day course is a time for visiting families to experience audiology appointments, visual communication and Deaf Culture, early literacy, speech, and language sessions, and have support and time to find out about resources. They connect with other deaf and hard of hearing children and adults. This is always a busy and hugely beneficial three days for all.
