Welcome to our Parent Resources section.
Your go-to guide for support and information.
We also have an in-house whare puka puka (library) for our parents to borrow from.
Social and Emotional Development
The Foundation Years
Early childhood is a foundational time for tamariki’s social and emotional development. During this stage, children learn about themselves as individuals and in relation to others. They begin to:
Recognise and manage emotions
Develop empathy
Build friendships and positive relationships
This learning doesn’t happen on its own — it requires nurturing relationships, role modelling, and support with problem-solving and emotional literacy.
Understanding Behaviour
It’s normal for young children to experience bumps and hiccups in their social learning. Often, behaviours that seem difficult are part of typical development — for example, toddlers aren’t yet cognitively able to understand sharing.
-At Small Wonders we believe all behaviour is communication-
When we pause to understand what a child is telling us through their actions, we can often respond in ways that help them feel understood, safe, and supported.
When Children Need Something Different
Sometimes, a child might not respond to typical social and emotional support. This may be a sign of:
Anxiety or stress
Life changes
Neurodevelopmental differences
In these cases, we work closely with whānau to understand the full picture and adapt our approach. You might explore low-demand parenting, or other responsive parenting strategies that suit your child.
You know your child best. Every tamaiti and whānau is unique — there’s no one-size-fits-all.
If you ever have concerns, talk with your child’s kaiako. We’re here to help, and we value your insights. You can also speak with your GP or Plunket nurse for extra support.
Helpful Tips for settling into Small Wonders
Settling in to a new environment can be exciting but sometimes a daunting time for parents and children. Our aim is to do everything we can to make this process as easy and enjoyable as possible. We want to ensure a sense of trust is built between whanau and the Centre and the children begin to form strong relationships with our people and place.
Leaving and when to go? Every child is different. While some will settle quickly and even wave goodbye or usher their parents out the door others won’t. We encourage a routine drop off and ALWAYS say goodbye as this supports your child to trust the process and that you will always come back. Some children may remain upset for longer periods or display the same ‘upset’ at each drop off please be assured that our kaiako role is to assist with this transition and to engage in honest and sensitive feedback. We will always communicate with you during the initial first days. Comfort toys can be used and we understand the importance of a secure ‘toy‘ for your child during this time. (They often fade away over time).
Common Questions
Please get in touch to find our more about our fees. We offer 20 free hours for our over 3 year olds and provide delicious morning tea for your tamariki as part of your fees. There is also a work and income subsidy available if applicable.
We are open Monday- Friday 7.30am-5.00pm
Yes, we have a minimum of 2 days per week. We find this helps your tamaiti to develop relationships and makes the settling process a smooth one.
Yes, most children settle well into sleeping here. We follow your child’s individual routine and have an excellent sleep resource as part of our enrollment pack.
Useful Articles and Links.
This is a Ministry of Education resource on Social and Emotional Learning in the home.