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Small
Poppies Philosophy
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Small
Poppies is a group designed specifically to meet the
needs of young gifted children and their parents.
It provides an enrichment and extension programme
that allows gifted children to work at their own pace
and level, with children of similar abilities and
with similar interests.
It
provides an opportunity for parents to meet others
facing similar parenting challenges.
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Small
Poppies is a child-centred environment in which a range
of challenging learning experiences are offered. Emphasis
is placed on stimulating the child’s learning process,
rather than on achieving any specific end result or product.
History
In
July 1996, Small Poppies began as a parent co-operative
venture, which came about when a group of parents with very
able children found they and their children had common needs
which were being overlooked in the current pre-school system
in Auckland. These children needed extension activities
and contact with “like minds”.
Small
Poppies was given charitable status by the Inland Revenue
and our Trustees were incorporated as a Board under the
Charitable Trusts Act 1957. in 2000.
In
July 2007, the Small Poppies Charitable Trust dissolved,
in order to allow the services offered under Small Poppies
to be administered and nurtured under the umbrella of the
Gifted Education Centre.
An
important feature of Small Poppies is the employment of
Sue Breen, a teacher trained and experienced in working
with gifted children. Her role is to work with the children
extending and challenging them in a variety of ways. She
trains and mentors all Small Poppies teachers, as well as
maintaining her strong teaching role.
Sue
also shares ideas with parents that they can use at home
with their children.
Small
Poppies children come from all backgrounds and areas of
Auckland and can attend sessions from the age of two until
they turn six.
How
to cater for a bright preschooler the Small Poppies way
–
A Recipe
- Take
a very bright, enthusiastic child
- Add
an interested parent or two
- Introduce
them to other similar children and parents
- Stir
in a heap of stimulating ideas and a never-ending supply
of balloons, straws, bubbles, paper and pencils
- Add
a heap of books and equipment
- Pour
the mixture into an adequate sized space
- Toss
in a motivated teacher and a “theme” for the
day
- Add
questions, discussions and activities
- Have
fun with the results.
P.S.
Allow for contagion. This recipe will expand.
For
further information phone Small Poppies on 09 837 5937.
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