LATEST STORIES
Excursion to Butterfly Creek
The best way to help young children connect with nature is by offering experiences that model respect for the natural environment. Children are naturally curious, and if they are supported through this process, they may acquire the ability to wonder authentically and in exciting ways about everything around them. To foster learning outdoors and promote a better understanding of its impact on children’s holistic development, we planned an excursion on the 3rd of May 2024. The excursion was designed to help tamariki explore the animal world and connect with nature. Children continue to discuss things they have observed while interpreting their discoveries in meaningful ways as a result of this experience. We've observed how this experience sparked their curiosity. By making a connection with the natural environment, children can form a healthy relationship with papatūānuku (mother earth), and show love, care, and respect for their environment as they grow and make sense of the world around them. The relationship with nature offers powerful methods to support the investigation process, which includes opportunities for “observation, experimentation, data collection, prediction, analysis, and reporting discoveries.” Te Whariki (Ministry of Education, 2017) recommends that kaiako promote the sense of “kaitiakitanga” by creating regular opportunities for children to build relationships with the wider natural environment and materials drawn from nature (p.35). Here are some snapshots of the day to share...