Over the past month all of our tamariki have been engaged in a creative project using paper mâché.
This hands-on learning experience supported sensory learning as tamariki explored textures such as smooth, sticky, and wet.
It was also a great opportunity to strengthen language skills by practising describing words together. Through this project we extended our learning about our environment, weather patterns, and seasons, linking to the stories of the Māori atua. We learnt about Ranginui, the Sky Father, who with Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, is central in Māori creation narratives.
By connecting with these stories, tamariki developed an understanding of our natural world and the importance of caring for it. This experience links strongly to our centre’s internal evaluation, where we are investigating our local curriculum. By weaving in the stories of atua, we ensure our programme is responsive, culturally grounded, and relevant to the tamariki and whānau in our community.
Our learning also reflects BestStart centre values. Tamariki showed responsibility for their mahi, creativity in their designs, and collaboration by helping each other. Most importantly, they demonstrated curiosity and joy in exploring new materials and ideas.
Through projects like this, tamariki are not only building fine motor skills and imagination but also gaining a deeper connection to Te Ao Māori and the natural environment around them.