Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa
The PLD team is excited to be completing some concentrated mahi in the BOP region supporting centres to Connect with te Whenua: build Playcentre whānau connections with places of local significance in their area and connect centre members from various centres with the aim to build:
- Whanaungatanga: nurturing relationships to provide a sense of belonging
- Kotahitanga: building connections, unity and solidarity within our Playcentre community
- Manaakitanga: caring for and valuing our Playcentre members
- Te Whenua: appreciation and exploration of local whenua
- Connect with Other Parents: Meet and mingle with other parents from the Playcentre community.
- Build Relationships: Strengthen connections with other Playcentre whānau in your hapori (local community).
- Experience Hapori: Hapori, meaning “community,” promotes connections between geographically close centres, fostering encouragement, idea-sharing, and support.
- Become familiar with other Playcentres within our hapori
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!
This whakatauki talks to the importance of human connection and relationships. This is what creates community and enables people to flourish. It values the human being in all of us and reminds us of what is most important – not money, not success, not a job or a thing – it is people.
Play Inspiration for Infants: Have you considered…
- Making mud with dirt and water
- Plain white maize cornflour gloop
- Introducing soft clay or making clay slurry (Gather any leftover pieces of clay and place them in a jar or container. Add water, ideally using your old clay water, and stir well. Let it sit overnight to absorb, or you can use warm water to help soften it more quickly alternatively you could can also make it from old dried-up clay by breaking into a powder first and adding water slowly…)
- Offering warm water and large blocks of ice (ring tins work great, as they can be hung allowing babies to touch and explore the ice, either indoors or outside under a tree)
Some links from our website
- https://www.playcentre.org.nz/2020/11/confidence-in-physical-abilities/
- https://www.playcentre.org.nz/2020/02/the-magic-of-heuristic-play/
- https://www.playcentre.org.nz/2020/06/learning-is-childs-play/
- https://www.playcentre.org.nz/2021/07/getting-the-brain-you-need-for-the-world-you-find-yourself-in-why-early-brain-development-matters/
We are also excited to warmly welcome Sarah Hjertquist as a permanent PLD facilitator in the LSI region. Sarah has been a valued part of the PLD team over the years, and we are thrilled to have her join us on a permanent part-time basis. Our permanent part-time facilitators are:
- Upper North Island, Karen Thomas [email protected]
- Central North Island Karina Hart [email protected].
- Lower North Island Liz Neill [email protected]
- Upper South Island Chrissie Sundstrum [email protected]
- Lower South Island Sarah Hjertquist [email protected]
- National requests or suggestions Kara Daly [email protected]
We hope you enjoy the remainder of Term 1
If you have any PLD questions, please contact
Karina Hart | Professional Learning and Development Lead [email protected] 027 880 5378
Upcoming PLD Opportunites 2025 – Online self-directed learning
Tikanga 101
A self-paced online course introducing bicultural practice and the importance of upholding tikanga Māori in our everyday interactions at Playcentre. Learn more about the guiding principles and values in Playcentre, mihi whakatau and practice using different types of karakia and waiata relevant to Playcentre.
Approximately 4-6 hours of self-directed learning, open to all centre whānau and staff.
1 April 2025 group – https://forms.office.com/r/nLbjkjMpC0
1 May 2025 group – https://forms.office.com/r/QjQ0Y43CnG