Tania's Professional Learning Blog

Observing Through Play: Unlocking True Potential Let’s Get Real—Play Tells the Full Story! You know those first few weeks of school when everyone’s finding their feet (and maybe their shoes)? That’s not the time to whip out formal tests and clipboards of doom! Instead, our "Tools, Measures & Approaches" plan encourages us to step back, tune in, and let our tamariki show us what they can really do— through play . Because here’s the secret sauce: play isn’t just fun—it’s full of golden information . What Are We Actually Doing Here? We’re putting the tests on pause and pulling out our invisible superhero capes: the observer lens . We watch, really watch, our learners in action as they build, create, chat, problem-solve, and navigate social situations in both structured and unstructured play. We're not looking for right or wrong, we’re tuning in to the how , the why , and the wow moments. Using a simple framework, we can spot things like: 🗣 Oral Language(and ...

🌟 Transition to School Surveys (ECE and Whānau Voice) ✨ Why do Transition to School Surveys? Build a strong starting point:  Instead of beginning from scratch when a child starts school, you already have valuable insights into who they are, what they can do, and what they love. Strengthen partnerships: Gathering voice from ECE teachers and whānau shows that their knowledge and experience is respected — they are crucial partners in a child’s journey. Spot patterns early: You can identify strengths and any gaps or needs before the child even sets foot in the classroom. Smooth the transition: Children feel safer and more confident when the people around them already understand them and can connect with what matters to them. 🛠️ How to Do It Effectively           Step 1: Plan Your Surveys                Create two short surveys:                ➔ One for ECE/Kindergar...

Laying the Groundwork: The Magic of Transition Surveys Because the journey to school starts long before the school bell rings Have said this many times but want to emphasise again that starting school is a huge milestone, not just for tamariki, but for their whānau too. There’s excitement, a few nerves, and a whole new world to step into. As teachers, we know our role in making that step smooth and welcoming is vital. That’s why our first focus in the Tools, Measures & Approaches plan is simple, powerful, and people-centered: Transition Surveys — our way of connecting with ECEs and whānau before that first school bag is zipped up. So… what is it exactly? It’s not a test. It’s not a checklist. It’s a kōrero in disguise — a way to gather authentic, rich insights from the two groups who know each child best: their ECE teachers and their whānau . These surveys help us learn about: Communication – Can they express themselves clearly? Do they follow instructions easily? ...

How I Plan to Create a Detailed and Accurate Profile of Students' Readiness for School. As part of my CoL inquiry — “What can I do to make sure the kids starting school will be ready?” — it’s crucial that I gather rich, accurate information about each learner's starting point. Having a clear, detailed profile of each child will allow me to design learning experiences that truly meet their needs and set them up for success from the very beginning. Here are the tools, measures, and approaches I plan to use, along with the reasons why I've chosen them: I will elaborate on each in the next blogpost and how each of these will benefit our tamariki.