Group is still thriving

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 38, 10 March 1987, Page 5

Group is still thriving

National Park community's Te Waimarino Whanau Kohanga Reo group has weathered some hard times over the last 18 months but is still thriving. The secret of the group's success must be that all those involved give their utmost. The Kohanga Reo (language nest) has between 6-1 1 children on any given day as well as a number of parents and adult helpers. The ages of children who attend Kohanga Reo range from babies to five years. The group meets every week day at the National Park

community hall and put in 30 or more hours a week. The day starts at 10am with a roll-call and weather report, followed by games, singing and other activities. Classes are conducted in both Maori and English as a way of familiarizing the children and some of the parents with the Maori language. Mina Konui, the group's teacher, commutes to National Park every day from the Lands and Survey settlement on SH47, east of the Chateau, to take classes. Te Kohanga Reo is seen

as a solid start for preschoolers as it teaches children discipline needed to learn and also gives them the confidence to start school. Te Reo, the language, is an important concept and the children are encouraged to learn in a close family atmosphere.