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Early Years

Mindful Homes

Mindful Homes

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A Mixed-race mama’s guide to talking about colour with kids

"I was born in the middle-East to a father from Mauritania and an English mother in the mid-1980s. Early on I referred to myself as being ‘noos-noos’, Arabic for half-half, an identity that I accepted happily and readily although it was often met with questions and comments. Having grown up with this dual heritage background, I am keen to ensure I raise racially aware children, but I know this is relevant to all families, regardless of background. ..."

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Learning & Development

Learning & Development

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Teaching Without Teaching

"On the shelves nearby were beautiful mathematical materials which Gigi's parents were desperate for her to use and were devastated that she repeatedly chose to polish and dust those maths materials rather than count them or use them to write 1+2=3. They felt that we should 'teach' her maths. We were somewhat perplexed, as everywhere we saw Gigi, she was doing 'maths'! ..."

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Eary Years

Early Years

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What exactly is 'a good start' for children?: An interview with Pennie Brownlee

"Pennie: I think the first thing to consider is the human baby’s biological needs. These biological needs are genetically driven and they are universal in the human child. They must be met if the baby is going to have “a good start” and build “sound foundations” for their physical and mental health. These sound foundations are designed to serve them right through their middle childhood, teens, adulthood, all the way to elderhood. This ‘good start’ is not only best for baby, it also the foundation for the health of the society this person lives in.

 

What we are experiencing in many countries - including New Zealand and Singapore - is that babies’ needs come at the bottom of the list, after the needs of employers, businesses and the country’s GDP. It leaves both babies and society at risk when countries restructure their ‘social considerations’ to serve an inanimate ideologically driven construction called 'the economy'. ..."

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