Kia ora! I am Abegail Romualdo and I am currently a kaiako at Oaklynn School. My kaiako journey at Oaklynn School started a couple of years back when I was on a placement while working on my Aotearoa teacher registration. I went through a well-supported induction programme and then I learnt about Experience Sharing. 

Fast forward to last year when I started my postgraduate studies at Massey University and came upon Grenier (2010) who suggested that we take a step back from putting emphasis on an individual and focus on inclusion as coordinated actions between participants. I managed to link some of my learning to Grenier’s (2010) consideration on how to help forward inclusion. This action will result in inclusion as social processes that will then rehabilitate what inclusion means to us as teachers. 

I can identify with Grenier (2010) through the way we deliver our programmes at Oaklynn School. Aside from a strengths-based approach, we also prioritise a relationship-based approach to our tamariki. Our kura was the first to develop Experience Sharing where teacher and ākonga can have fun together while sharing an experience. It is worth noting that a focus on pattern-memory- variation is crucial to get the best outcomes. However, I would like to specify how the fun in an Experience Sharing session looks like:

• Kaiako chooses a fun activity that suits or that tamariki loves (example: lining up toy trucks or stacking blocks)

• Label the activity (Say, “Play with toys!”)

• Model a simple clear pattern (taking turns stacking cups or lining up toy cars)

• Assign an active role to the student in the pattern (parallel versus complementary play)

• Introduce a small variation within the pattern once play is established

• Use declarative language (no questions and instructions!)

• Vocalise and less verbalising 

• Exaggerate facial expressions and body language

I have been an Experience Sharing practitioner for a couple of years now and it is just an amazing session of shared and joint attention but sprinkled with fun and laughter. One of the most popular ones is definitely a tickling game and some rough-and-tumble plays. Between an overstimulated tamariki and a middle-aged kaiako, I always end up like I was in a wrestling match with hair and clothes in a mess! However, nothing beats the feeling of being successful in leading (and being led!) an interpersonal engagement session. After the game, tamariki and rangatahi are very well-regulated- calm, happy and with a contented smile on their faces. It definitely is a short-cut way to developing and sustaining interpersonal engagement and it is inclusion at its best.