Newsletter February 2007
In this edition
- Childrens’ Day
- WellChild/Tamariki Ora week
- Minigrants
- Evaluation
- 2007- 8
Check the Well Child Week 2007 link for minigrant application forms and guidelines
It is hard to believe that we are into our next update already but here we are – I am pleased to say that the majority of you are much more up to speed that I am and we have had lots of enquiries re. WellChild /Tamariki Ora week and grant applications.
So to update you..
You will probably have heard some of the information and appalling statistics that are contained in the UNICEF report - I won’t repeat them just to say it does show us that we have got to spend some time getting it right for the future.
Click here to view a PDF Version of the UNICEF report (PHA press release)
March 4 th sees the arrival of Childrens’ day and the start of our joint campaign to encourage everyone who cares for children to spend time with them.
Hector’s Dolphin is their indigenous animal this year - just to remind you that just as we need to spend time nurturing and protecting our native species so do we need to spend time with our children.
Spending time is a very vague statement and it has been interesting and encouraging to see the many different interpretations that different coalitions have put to this. – all valid.
The commissioner for children’s office have some simple slogans - read to me, talk to me , sing to me ..
So with interest and then dismay I read a simple book I found in my 7 year old’s classroom the other day - it was entitled “talk to me” and was about a girl who was lonely because the adults around her were too busy on their mobile phones to talk to her..does this sound familiar?
So this first week of March start as you mean to carry on - nothing expensive or complicated just involve the children in daily life, talk to them , play with them and spend time keeping them well and safe.
In our kits that we are about to mail out we have some ideas for activities and areas that you may wish to concentrate on - as highlighted by recent research and the UNICEF report - but just taking time out to define the issues in your community is also a good start.
Minigrants
We approved all this year’s minigrants at our recent meeting so if you applied you should be getting your letter soon.
Evaluation
We will be emailing out an evaluation form soon too so that you can have your chance again to say what is good and what isn’t and make comments to improve the system - for example would you prefer an information pack with lots of leaflets early in the planning and a press release later, or everything together or a combination thereof…
Do you use the stickers? Are the flags too big? Etc…..
2007/8
Just a reminder - July – September will be immunisation months - information packs will be around from about end of May, and in October we will be focussing on Nutrition again - so get your thinking caps on for that.
In 2008 we feel it would be timely to revisit dental issues as well as the continued need for immunisation and nutrition but are also aware that there is still a huge safety issue with New Zealand and children so maybe we also need to help continue raising awareness in this area too – your thoughts would be appreciated.
Resources
Remember that we have banners and flags always available from the National Office and some extra balloons. Stickers and posters can be ordered from the Ministry of Health Educational Resources – www.healthed.govt.nz
That is all for now from me - please feel free to pass this newsletter on, comment or feedback and have an enjoyable WellChild /Tamariki Ora week spending time with all our precious Tamariki.
Marguerite Dalton , WellChild /Tamariki Ora Week Coordinator Click here to download a PDF version
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