In the Explorer’s Room at BestStart Oraha Road, we love exploring the diverse cultures that make up our tamariki in many different ways.
Our recent language days have encouraged us to dive deeper into cultural elements, and one of the ways we’ve explored this is through physical activity — creating learning experiences that promote sports and games from cultures represented in our centre community.
Some of the games we have played include Kilikiti (Tonga/Pasifika), Lagori (India/Marathai), Eierrace (Dutch), Luksong Tinik (Philippines), as well as bowling and golf (America/Europe). Our tamariki have loved engaging in these sports and games, developing skills in coordination, balance, turn-taking, teamwork and enjoying some friendly competition — even amongst the kaiako!
Our whānau have also enjoyed seeing their tamariki take part, reliving their own childhood memories and sharing their cultural backgrounds.
Through these experiences, our tamariki are not only learning about the wider world and the cultural connections of their peers, but they’re also developing physical confidence and body control, challenging themselves and having fun along the way.
This approach also connects to the Social and Emotional aspect of Kōwhiti Whakapae, which reminds us that “when kaiako engage in inclusive interactions and provide a learning environment that reflects diversity, mokopuna and whānau can experience a greater sense of belonging and inclusion. This might include having resources and materials that represent diverse family structures, gender identities and diverse abilities. Fairness and inclusion are important concepts for mokopuna, empowering them to take an active role in including others.”