From beetles to conversations, our infant tamariki are exploring nature and building key life skills. Bug hunting has sparked curiosity, kōrero, and care for living things—laying a strong foundation for empathy and connection.
Our Infant Room has been busy with bugs!
It has been a big interest for our tamariki over the past few weeks after discovering a large beetle in our playground.
Bug hunting with infant children offers rich opportunities for learning. It not only provides hands-on experiences but also supports our learning priority, He Kōrero.
Through this experience, our tamariki have been strengthening their oral language skills by hearing descriptive words and engaging in conversations with each other and their kaiako about what they’re seeing and the bugs they’re searching for.
While the excitement of finding a bug is contagious, teaching our tamariki to approach bugs with kindness and respect fosters a compassionate relationship with nature. We encourage them to observe bugs in their natural habitat, nurturing care and responsibility for all living things—no matter how small.
This gentle empathy fuels both curiosity and mindfulness, helping children develop a deeper, more respectful connection with the natural world.
The act of sharing and turn-taking with resources builds early social skills, teaching tamariki the value of patience. Learning how to play alongside each other also strengthens collaboration and empathy as they observe and interact with their peers.
These moments of discovery, rooted in nature, help lay a strong foundation for communication, social interaction, and group dynamics—transforming a simple outdoor experience into a powerful and meaningful learning opportunity.