Making a coconut shell bowl!

Today I enjoyed participating in a Create workshop at Glen Taylor school as part of Manaiakalani PD for this term. I learnt how to cut a coconut shell, take the meat out and the remove the husk using a range of different tools including a sharp knife!Thanks to Mr Raj for sharing your ideas and seeing your mahi in action with your students. There was even a bowl of kava to try, recognising the drink consumed in cultural ceremonies in Pacific island countries such as Fiji. Here are some photos of my perserverance!

My first Create workshop!

This afternoon I delivered an ENGAGE presentation to teaching colleagues hosted by Glen Taylor school. I introduced the research led by Dr Dionne Healy and Jimmy McLachan from Dunedin and Otago University about the importance of teaching young children self regulation skills through playing early childhood games. The acronym ENGAGE stands for Enhancing Neurobehavioural Gains with the aid of Games and Excercise. So then I showed the group the set of resource cards linked to Behavioural/Doing, Cognitive/Thinking and Emotional/Feeling games and actvitives. These games when played regularly contribute to a child's emotional well being and social skills combined with language accumulation. The teachers also had an opportunity to play a few games using items found around your home for the Magic Blanket a pack of cards for memory, and a game of silent ball. I hope those who attended can see the value of playing these games with a group of students on a regular basis.