Communication and Literacy

Supporting oral language development is central to everything we do at Kindergarten. Our small group size and regular staff creates the context of connection essential for growing confident communicators. Meaningful conversation, song, story, puppet shows, poems, and playful exploration of rhythm, rhyme, and new vocabulary all help with language development. Every second Thursday, we enjoy a visit from the library bus where tamariki can choose books to borrow and share at kindergarten.

Phonological awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate the sounds in spoken language) is the essential foundation of literacy development. We help children to develop their phonological awareness through having fun with words, identifying and creating rhymes, clapping out syllables, and playing with alliteration. These playful experiences not only build important foundations for reading and writing but create a fun and positive attitude towards language. As they grow in confidence, older children are supported to recognise and begin writing their own names in preparation for school.

Te reo Māori is a valued and living part of our daily programme, heard in greetings, waiata, karakia, and everyday conversations. Kaiako model and gently extend te reo in context, helping tamariki develop both confidence and understanding. Stories, poems, and songs from a variety of cultures are also shared, supporting a wider appreciation of language and identity.

Two young boys sitting on a cushioned window bench reading books and looking at each other, with children playing outside visible through the window. The background includes a shelf filled with children's books.