Last month HIPPY South Kaipara families met together at the Parakai School hall to share a morning of fun activities. The parents and children made lolly necklaces, paper hats, did beading and sewing pictures together, made butterfly mobiles, rainbow mobiles and hanging cats from paper plates. All of the activities were simple and designed for young children to enjoy with the help of their parents. The HIPPY children were then presented with a book each and certificates for working hard on their HIPPY. The new entrant class at Parakai School also joined in the fun with senior students giving them a helping hand. The morning ended with a shared morning tea.
HIPPY or the ‘Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters’ encourages parents to be their child’s first teacher by working on the HIPPY programme for 15 minutes a day, five days each week for two years. The benefits of parents spending regular quality time with their young children are known to last a lifetime. HIPPY children love doing the HIPPY activities with their parents. Having a strong, secure relationship with at least one parent is essential for the healthy development of children and lays the foundation for their learning and self-confidence in later life.
On Thursday 16th August 2018 HIPPY South Kaipara will be facilitating a two hour seminar: The Early Years Last Forever. This will be presented by the Brainwave Trust, which delivers information to parents on the importance of brain development in the early years. Brainwave’s vision is that all children in Aotearoa New Zealand are valued and nurtured so they can reach their full potential. The seminar is free and open to the community. It will be held in the Parakai School hall, 10 Fordyce Road, Parakai from 10am to 12pm. To RSVP or if you would like to know more about the HIPPY programme phone coordinator Bernie Malizia on 021 0220 6017.
Cousins Riwia and Hoani Tapurau both aged four.
