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Exploring Matariki!
In July in the Explorer's Room at Best Start Oraha Road, we wanted to celebrate and learn about Matariki, the Maori New Year, in ways that were authentic and meaningful to our learners and how they learn. We recognize that for our age group, under twos, the way that they learn best is through sensory, hands-on play, so to give them the best opportunity to learn about the meaning behind each of the stars, the kaiako in the Explorer's Room came up with a range of sensory-based learning experiences that taught our tamariki about each star.
For the star Waipuna-a-rangi, the star connected to the rain, our tamariki got to add 'rain drops' to a paper umbrella using pipettes, and making rain sounds using rain shakers. For the stars Waiti and Waita, our tamariki explored what lives in seas, rivers, and lakes via a sea-inspired provocation of sea animals, shells, and sand.
For the star Matariki, the mother of the stars of Matariki, we made our own Matariki stars out of playdough that contained glitter stars, and for Ururangi, the star connected to the wind, our tamariki had the opportunity to be the wind-blowing objects like leaves and feathers around in trays, and of course, going outside to blow bubbles and let them be carried off in the wind. For the star Hiwa-i-te-rangi, connected to the promise of a prosperous season, our tamariki were involved in planting a new garden of herbs and flowers that we will use in future sensory play opportunities, and for the star Tupuanuku, kaiako Jaidin brought in cooked vegetables and Melissa brought in the vegetables in their original form to explore food grown in the ground - our tamariki loved the opportunity to taste different vegetables (even the raw onions!)
For the star Tupuarangi, linked to the birds, tamariki had the opportunity to play with native birds mounted onto blocks, moving them through a forest-themed provocation as they learned about birds and the food that comes from the sky, and in remembrance of those who have passed on, under the star Pohutakawa, our tamariki painted a tree using their hands, with orange and yellow paint representing dead leaves.
In our learning environment, our tamariki loved the wonder of seeing the stars in their very own Matariki hut, sharing stories, and enjoying Maori waiata as we celebrated and welcomed the Maori New Year.