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What a fantastic start to the month we’ve had with our celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights! The children had an amazing time singing, dancing, and creating their own diyas, which they later lit up, illuminating the space with joy. We also made some delicious sweets, which we shared with our parents—another lovely way to bring our community together.

A special highlight was the photo shoot we organized for the children. They absolutely loved it, and we can’t wait for the parents to enjoy the professional photos of their little ones.

Science continues to be an exciting part of our curriculum. The children’s curiosity was piqued as they explored the mystery of why pinecones open and close. This hands-on experiment was a great way to help them develop crucial skills like understanding cause and effect, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Another favourite was our sensory nature tray, where the children explored the textures, colours, and smells of various flowers and leaves. They observed how the changing seasons affect nature, sparking thoughtful questions and encouraging them to think critically. This activity also helped strengthen their sensory awareness, fine motor skills, language development, and understanding of mathematical concepts, all while fostering social interaction.

Our balloon painting activity was a colourful and fun experience! As the children painted, they experimented with mixing colours and creating patterns, watching as new shades emerged before their eyes. This creative experience promoted not only artistic expression but also critical thinking, communication, and fine motor skills.

In the babies’ room, we had a delightful gardening session, where we introduced the children to our newly planted carrot plants. The children were so excited to pull one out of the soil, eagerly exploring the carrot’s vibrant colour and texture. We sliced it up for tea, and the children enjoyed tasting the fruits of their exploration. This hands-on experience provided a wonderful opportunity for them to connect with nature and learn about where our food comes from.

Our tamariki also had fun experimenting with different textures using gloop, playdough, and clay. They got creative making gingerbread men and even joined in the kitchen to bake cupcakes—a well-deserved sweet treat after all their hard work!

Through these activities, the children are building connections, exploring the world around them, and nurturing their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, all aligned with the principles of Te Whāriki.

Connectios to Te Whāriki (ECE Curriculum) Learning Outcomes:

In our learning environment, children are encouraged to:
Make connections between people, places, and things in their world | te waihanga hononga
Keep themselves healthy and care for themselves | te oranga nui
Engage in play, imagination, invention, and experimentation | te whakaaro me te tūhurahura i te pūtaiao