WELCOMED BY KAYDENWhat a warm welcome I received when I visited Kayden, you made me feel right at home. Such wonderful manaakitanga - kindness, generosity, support and care for others. Once you learnt my name, Lynn, I heard it many times as you beckoned me to follow you as you lead me to the things that excited you at your place. Firstly, we started with the bag area, you showed me your name then you went around each bag counting and pointing out the name tags. This made me very curious about you as a learner. You are obviously very interested in the everyone’s names and I wondered if this is why you are so good at manaakitanga as you are very aware of everyone in your centre whānau.

Next Kayden we visited the portfolio area and looked through your Learning stories. Again it was the people in the Learning Stories that stood out for you as you delighted in naming everyone in the photos.

2016FEBRUARY

It was lovely sitting with you looking at the Learning Stories because very quickly we had a group of your friends around us sharing their portfolios also. Everyone was keen to show their photos and think about who was there with them.

Finally as I was leaving I again heard my name being called. This time you wanted to show me the outside area and in particular the trolley. You were so inclusive and kind Kayden you made me feel very welcome at your place.

What learning is happening here for Kayden? Through moments like these Kayden you are learning about relationships. As kaiako and manuhiri, such as myself, listen to your voice you are learning about the give and take of relationships and that everyone’s voice and thoughts are valued and heard. Te Whāriki the early childhood curriculum says, “you are learning to develop knowledge and skills in areas that interest you, to make an increasing number of their own decisions and judgements.” By listening carefully to you Kayden kaiako will be continuing to nurture and strengthen your mana.

How can we grow this learning? He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world. The people. The people. The people. How do children grow an understanding of this whakatauki - it is by the way the kaiako treat them, one another and other children. Kayden you will continue to grow and learn about relationships through the people around you. As the kaiako model kindness, support and empathy you will grow your understanding of manaakitanga - treating others as you want to be treat yourself. Thank you so much Kayden for being a great welcomer to the Centre. I appreciated being made to feel part of your centre whānau during my visit.

Lynn Rupe, Educational Leadership Project Professional Learning Facilitator and friend of the centre.