Author name: Leanne

“Children experience an environment where there are equitable opportunities for learning, irrespective of gender, ability, age, ethnicity, or background.” — Te Whāriki, 2017 Every child deserves to be seen, heard and valued. This is especially important in the ECE space – an environment that is such a big part of tamariki’s development. Te Whāriki recognises

“Children and their families feel a sense of belonging when they are welcomed and able to participate fully in the services of the early childhood setting.” — Te Whāriki, 2017 In Aotearoa’s ECE Centres, belonging isn’t just a warm and fuzzy ideal. It’s the foundation of healthy development. Without a definite sense of belonging, tamariki

“When children’s wellbeing is protected and promoted, they feel secure and confident to explore, connect, and grow.” In early childhood education, wellbeing is the foundation of everything. Without it, tamariki cannot learn, engage or thrive. That’s why Te Whāriki prioritises Mana Atua | Wellbeing as the very first strand. It recognises that the emotional and

As you well know, Te Whāriki provides a holistic framework that supports the learning and development of tamariki from their first learning moments to when they begin school. Central to the curriculum are four guiding principles and five strands. These are cleverly woven together to create a rich tapestry of learning experiences. Te Whāriki’s principles

We have previously discussed how fostering the social and emotional development of tamariki in ECE is the cornerstone of creating a thriving learning environment. You can read our first article on social and emotional development here. Because this is an intense period of learning about what emotions are and how to navigate them, there is

You know the saying, two’s company, three’s a crowd? Well, it couldn’t be more incorrect when it comes to the mentoring relationships you can form as a provisional ECE teacher. In fact, three can actually be better than two! Mentoring plays a pivotal role in shaping your skills and confidence as an ECE teacher. You

In Early Childhood Education, fostering the social and emotional development of children is the cornerstone of creating a thriving learning environment. Early childhood is a time when children are learning what their emotions are and how they can navigate them. This isn’t always the easiest journey for them. But feeling those emotions is part of

In New Zealand, the journey to becoming a provisional teacher is an exciting one. It’s a period rich with growth, learning and professional development. The skills you learn during your provisional teaching period can set you up for a successful career ahead. A mentor can play a crucial role in helping you develop in key

Each and every person is important to this world, no matter how small they are right now. That’s why, as teachers, we have a responsibility to teach children in ECE about the world around them. As citizens of the world, we all have a responsibility to respect and care for our planet. Early childhood is

We say it time and again. The provisional teaching period is an extremely rewarding time in your career, but it can be exhausting to navigate. This is because you are finding your feet as a teacher, completing the final aspects of your assessments, and trying to balance the rest of your life all at once.