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Choosing a Childcare
What to look for when choosing a childcare? As an infant teacher, I thought I knew what mattered most when it came to childcare. I’d spent years welcoming families, settling their children, and doing my best to make parents feel confident that their children were safe and well cared for. But when it came time to find care for my own baby, I realised just how daunting it feels to hand them over. In some ways, knowing the ins and outs of early childhood education made the deci
3 min read
Ready for School, Prepared for life: Part 1 - Discovery, Investigation & Exploration
At Magic Garden Early Education Centre, children learn through curiosity. They discover ideas, test possibilities, and explore the world through play, materials, and relationships. This learning is purposeful and powerful. It builds the thinking skills children need for school and for life. In Reggio-inspired practice, we see children as capable learners with a strong desire to understand. We protect time for deep play, meaningful exploration, and learning that grows from chi
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Ready for School, Prepared for Life: Part 2 - Social Competence & Social Justice
At Magic Garden, learning is not only about knowledge — it’s also about relationships, belonging, and becoming part of a community. Social competence and social justice begins early. Children learn how to: care for themselves connect with others manage emotions develop fairness and empathy work through challenges with growing responsibility These are essential skills for school readiness and long-term wellbeing. Why Social Learning Matters Strong social foundations support: c
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Ready for School, Prepared for Life: Part 3 - Foundation Skill, Literacy & Numeracy
At Magic Garden, literacy and numeracy grow through everyday experiences, meaningful play, and rich conversations. Foundation skills are not about pushing children ahead early. They are about building strong learning structures underneath reading, writing, and maths. These include: vocabulary and memory listening and communication pattern, number and prediction fine motor and gross motor control body-space awareness and coordination storytelling and symbolic representation Wh
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When Your Baby Cries
A guide for the first 18 months for calming your infant. If you’re a parent of a baby, you already know this truth: Sometimes your baby cries and you can’t fix it quickly. And that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. At Magic Garden, we hold a simple belief that supports both babies and parents: Babies cry to communicate — not to manipulate. They’re not trying to be “difficult.” They’re doing the best they can with the tools they have. Babies can’t regulate alone yet (
4 min read
Risky Play: A Foundation for Strong, Confident Children
Risky play: what is it and why do we embrace it at Magic Garden? At Magic Garden Early Education, we firmly believe that “risky play”—the adventurous, thrill sparking kind of play—is a powerful engine for learning. It aligns seamlessly with New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum - Te Whāriki, and incorporates both our national values and the global Reggio inspired approach. 1. Aotearoa Perspectives: Play Is Essential Sport NZ explicitly champions children's access to “uncer
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What is the Tomatis® Method?
Introduction to the Tomatis® Method: Supporting Your Child's Development By Karen Lund, Auckland-Based Registered Teacher & Tomatis®...
10 min read
Creative Play Ideas Using Everyday Items
Everyday Wonders: Upcycling, Heuristic Play, and the Child as Creator At Magic Garden, we believe that every child holds a deep curiosity and an innate drive to explore the world. Through their hands, hearts, and senses, they make meaning—and as adults, we have the privilege of walking alongside them in that discovery. One beautiful way to support this journey is by offering open-ended, everyday materials—items not traditionally seen as toys but bursting with potential. This
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Biting in early childhood
Navigating Biting with Compassion at Magic Garden: A Guide for Parents If your child attends an early childhood centre, you may one day...
3 min read
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