LATEST STORIES
Eruption of Curiosity and Laughter
Continuing our journey into science exploration, today the tamariki doubled down on their favourite science experiment - The baking soda and vinegar volcano. Set up in small trays with their carefully crafted miniature mountains, each tamaiti had a chance to set off their very own eruption!
The tamariki's eyes widened with anticipation as they held their vinegar-filled droppers high, waiting for the go-ahead. We start to count down from five… rima, wha, toru, rua, tahi! Each tiny dropper made its daring dive into the mouth of the volcano. The resulting fizzing overflow was chorused with squeals of joy and laughter. Some tamariki animatedly jumped up and down with glee, while others observed the reaction with thoughtful faces.
Equally entertained, the kaiako observed and encouraged the tamariki by prompting recall on the activity as they scampered about, comparing their results and swapping ideas for 'bigger eruptions.' The table buzzed with energy, curiosity, and ongoing learning by exploration. Reflecting on the day's activities, it was clear the tamariki embraced hands-on learning and relished opportunities to observe cause and effect.
Their excitement points to their vested interest in exploratory science sessions, illustrating the effectiveness of empowering children in their learning process. It represents our philosophy of "Empowerment for Growth" perfectly. The hands-on nature of this activity links to the cognitive development theories of Piaget who champions active exploration for cognitive growth. Furthermore, the children's active conversations about their results show the development of their socio-linguistic skills, mirroring Vygotsky’s theory of learning through social interaction.
The tamariki's passionate participation embodies Te Whāriki’s principle of 'empowerment' that promotes curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. This activity has been designed to meet several outcomes from Te Whāriki from cognitive development to communication and social interaction, reinforcing our commitment to a wholesome early learning experience. What can we explore next?