Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa

Let us keep close together, not wide apart

(This whakatauki speaks to the importance of keeping connected, of maintaining relationships and dialogue so that we can keep moving forward together.)

Prior to lock down we had just embarked on our Dalton’s Sunflower journey. The children were keen gardeners, and we wanted to continue to foster this group interest despite lock down. We did this by engaging in a joint project via Storypark, documenting this journey through individual videos, photos, drawings and Storypark threads.

The children were invited to grow their own vegetables/plants using cuttings, which we will then use to create a vegetable garden at Kindergarten. We also have Ava (last years lead gardener) continuing with the Dalton Sunflower project at home, as she plants every year to compete with her grandfather (seeing who can grow the tallest sunflower). She will then take on a tuakana teina role when back at kindergarten, sharing her knowledge and expertise with others when our sunflower project resumes.

It’s been lovely seeing everyone come together and contribute to this group project. It is really strengthening home and centre connections, and supporting the nearing transition back to kindergarten. It has also been a way for families to share and connect with each other through this common interest. Such as Alisa’s family who sprouted peas, which they then use in their soups and salads! And Ele’s family who planted a Mānuka tree to celebrate her little brothers 1st birthday.

Special moments like these, shared via storypark help to create a sense of togetherness while we are all in our bubbles.