Baking is more than just Fun!

It provides rich opportunities for learning across many areas, measurement and numeracy, science through chemical reactions, language and early literacy, and developing important social skills that prepare tamariki for their future lives.

As part of our regular baking in the Researchers’ Room, we extended this learning by connecting it to culture. Together we explored the process of making rēwena bread, a traditional Māori potato based bread, as a way to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

This activity allowed us to share in tikanga, deepen our cultural knowledge, and understand food as a connection to whakapapa and whānau traditions. Through this experience, tamariki became: Mathematical thinkers – counting, measuring, and comparing ingredients.

• Scientists – observing how the dough changed, grew, and reacted over time. 
• Communicators – using new kupu in te reo Māori, such as parāoa (bread) and wai (water).
• Collaborators – taking turns, sharing tools, and listening to each other.
• Cultural explorers – recognising that food tells stories about people, identity, and belonging.

This purposeful baking experience aligns strongly with Te Whāriki. Tamariki developed Mana Reo by using language, symbols, and texts in both English and te reo Māori. Their Mana Tangata was strengthened through teamwork and taking responsibility for tasks.

We celebrated Mana Whenua by honouring Māori knowledge and practices, and explored Mana Aotūroa through science in action as the bread rose and changed. Importantly, tamariki’s Mana Atua was supported as they gained pride and confidence in contributing to shared kai.

At the same time, the learning connected directly to The New Zealand Curriculum, supporting smooth transitions into school Linking to our "set for school" programme. Tamariki practised key competencies such as thinking, using language, symbols, and texts, relating to others, and participating and contributing.

Baking drew on learning areas such as:

• Mathematics – measurement, counting, and comparing quantities.
• Science – observing chemical changes and cause-and-effect.
• English & Languages – reading, listening, and extending vocabulary in both English and te reo Māori.
• Social Sciences – recognising the significance of culture, heritage, and identity in everyday life.

The values and principles of the NZC were also woven throughout our experience, particularly cultural diversity, inclusion, and the acknowledgment of the Treaty of Waitangi by valuing te reo Māori and tikanga practices.

Through something as simple as baking bread, tamariki were empowered as thinkers, communicators, and explorers, while also developing a deeper understanding of themselves, their peers, and the culture of Aotearoa.