HIPPY

Early graduation for HIPPY kids

Graduation day comes early in South Kaipara – this month a group of five and six-year-olds pulled on their capping gowns.

The ceremony marked the end of a two-year programme with HIPPY – the Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters – that has given them a head start for school and learning.
The programme supports parents as they become actively involved in their child's learning. Parents and children work together with storybooks, puzzles and learning games that help children become successful learners.
“The programme builds on the bond between parents and children,” says South Kaipara HIPPY Coordinator Bernie Malizia. “HIPPY believes parents play a critical role in their children's education, so it offers support that builds upon parental strengths, so parents can provide their children with necessary skills and confidence to begin school with a positive attitude toward learning.”
South Kaipara parent Ruth Young says it has given her confidence as her child's first teacher.
“It's the one place each day where my child and I are one-on-one, connected, engaged and feel a sense of purpose. It certainly is helping both my child and I grow personally."
The programme runs at 21 sites throughout New Zealand and Manurewa primary teacher Robyn Burgess agrees it gives children a head start. "There's just something about HIPPY children. They've got the foundations for learning. They've got a lot of skills,” she says. “Sometimes it is not always obvious or measurable, but it shows in how they approach things. And the programme follows what we do at school; they can do things like sequencing. It gives them a really good start.”
And it’s not just the children who benefit.
“What HIPPY does for the parents is awesome,” says Robyn. “They gain confidence and learn skills. Parenting skills are learnt as a consequence of the programme. They become aware of how kids learn and how to support them.”
www.greatpotentials.org.nz/hippy.html
In August, ASB Community Trust granted HIPPY South Kaipara $27,216 towards running costs.