by Claire | Mar 20, 2021 | Articles, Pedagogy
This quote was put up on our website a little while ago – I am not sure who wrote it. But it struck a chord with me immediately in the way it shares the importance of our role as early childhood teachers. The impact of our relationships in shaping the values... 
by Claire | Mar 20, 2021 | Articles, Kaupapa Maori, Pedagogy
In 2009, the Ministry of Education launched its resource Te Whatu Pōkeka, Kaupapa Māori assessment and learning exemplars. It was a resource that focused on assessment of Māori children in Māori early childhood settings and as Rita Walker said: 
by Claire | Mar 20, 2021 | Articles, Pedagogy
Over the last several years of teaching at Pigeon Mountain Kindergarten we gave much consideration as a teaching team to the importance of Resilience in supporting children’s learning. As we explored this disposition with children and considered teaching practices... 
by Claire | Mar 20, 2021 | Articles, Leadership
Recently I had the opportunity to have a conversation with several of the teachers from a highly motivated, leaderful teaching team. Often one of the questions I hear from leaders, managers and centre owners is how do you create a team that is motivated, passionate... 
by Claire | Mar 20, 2021 | Articles, Leadership
I have used this title to pay tribute to Diti Hill’s 2001 article ‘Passion, power and planning in the early childhood centre’. I urge teachers to read it. The discussions about planning continue as many teachers struggle with the meaning of the word ‘planning’ and... 
by Claire | Mar 20, 2021 | Articles, Pedagogy
While visiting an early childhood centre recently, a small boy dressed as a little dog crawled towards me, panted, and stopped before me for a pat. I patted him on the head and commented on what a quiet, friendly dog he was. He nodded, panted again and his eyes shone....