Dancing dads get involved with S.K.I.P sports day
June 2010

140 pre-school children danced and played the morning away with teachers and parents at the fun sports day presented by S.K.I.P, held at the Highbury Whānau Centre on June 16^th.

Strategies with Kids – Information for Parents (S.K.I.P) is a government funded initiative supporting parents and whānau to guide their children’s behaviour in a positive way. 

The sports day focused on involving dads in positive parenting. Fathers enjoyed doing the penguin dance with children and running the various activity stations.

Following a warm up Zumba session, children, teachers and parents broke into groups to try activities organised by different early childhood centres, Sport Manawatu and the YMCA. All stations supported children in developing their physical skills whilst having lots of fun.

Three Ruahine Kindergartens: Somerset; Takaro; and West End, attended and thoroughly enjoyed the event. 

Drums Alive and crawling under the spider web were favourites amongst children at Somerset Kindergarten.

The Somerset Kindergarten teaching team said “it was rewarding to see fathers from our centre having fun and interacting with the children”. 

Ruahine Kindergartens Professional Service Manager, Gaylyn Campbell, and Association President, Sarah Johnston-Ellis, also attended. Gaylyn described it as “great to see so many male role models out there participating in learning experiences with children.” 

S.K.I.P aims to hold termly events in the Highbury area allowing parents, whānau and children to talk, play and share ideas together.

Above: Children, parents and teachers get active at the S.K.I.P sports day