CAPITAL CITY PRESCHOOL CHILDREN’S DAY PARTY
Friday, 1 March, Capital City Preschool squeezed in an extra party at lunchtime – between two birthday celebrations, one
at morning tea and the other in the afternoon – to celebrate Children’s Day.
The teaching team along with the children invited parents to enjoy a shared lunch together at the Preschool, pre-empting
the actual celebration, which occurred Sunday, 3 March.
In New Zealand, Children’s Day is a day dedicated to celebrating children and taking part in events as a family. This year’s theme for this day was
‘Treasure Children’.
Although everyday is children’s day, commemorating the first Sunday of March as a special day - just for children -
provides proof of how special children are by having a holiday dedicated for them; and in the case of Capital City
Preschool, having an extra party.
The New Zealand theme of ‘Treasure Children’ serendipitously tied nicely into Capital City Preschool’s Term 1 teaching
focus of treasuring each other, being a good friend.
Indeed, Capital City Preschool organised activities focused on treasuring each other throughout the week, such as
encouraging the children to draw portraits of their friends; discussing ways of being a good friend while seated in a
circle; having the children pick names from a hat then saying nice things about that person; in addition to having the
Children’s Day party.
Lisa Marshall, Manager of the Preschool, says, “We celebrated ‘Children’s Day’ to show the children how special they are
to us, and to each other.
“Integrating this special celebration into our curriculum also reinforces their contribution to society and their own
relationships with one another.”
Tying the special day in with preschool routines and rituals helps children further develop interpersonal skills, such
as helping and caring for one other, and creates a supportive atmosphere where children may confidently express their
ideas and feelings to each other.
“At Capital City Preschool, we encourage children and their families’ to feel a real sense of belonging in the running
of the Preschool activities and experiences, “states Lisa.
This week, Capital City Preschool will be learning a new friendship song and they will be practicing the children’s
friendship treaty (a treaty they developed at the beginning of the term) to extend their Term One teaching focus of
treasuring each other and being a good friend.
And, who knows what they’ll be celebrating this Friday? There’s always room for another party!
For more information about Capital City Preschool go to their website, www.CapitalCityPreschool.co.nz.
ENDS