Currently at Central Kids Hazelmere Kindergarten in Te Awamutu, we have a large group of children highly interested in literacy. We find tamariki writing and making letters in all kinds of ways and places.

We believe that through their own play they have the necessary coordination, muscle development and confidence to begin writing. Their desire to write began with their own names, then the names of their friends and has extended to them developing their own individual lists, which are laminated and available at all times. We find these treasures being referred to often as they ‘read’ and write the names of family members, pets, mates, addresses and any words they wanted included.

Children have uninterrupted time here every day to extend their own learning and we have even seen this interest played out in the block corner as with great excitement a letter ‘e’ was created!