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Exploring Wild Life at BestStart Rototuna
In the Kakāno room, our babies have shown an immense interest in animals. Our group planning for this term was around exploring wildlife. To extend our babies' interest, we have been providing them different learning experiences such as animals puzzle, matching animals, animal songs and books, animal mud play and animal rescue.
We created an engaging activity where we placed masking tape over some animal figures on the table. We then invited our tamariki to rescue the animals by carefully peeling off the tape. This simple yet meaningful task helped our tamariki develop essential skills. As they worked to remove the tape, they strengthened their fine motor control by practicing their pincer grasp and hand-eye coordination.
The activity also encouraged them to think critically and solve problems, as they had to figure out how to peel off the tape without damaging the animals. Additionally, the sticky tape and smooth animal surfaces offered a rich sensory experience, allowing the children to explore different textures. This playful activity not only provided entertainment but also contributed to the tamariki's developmental growth, fostering patience, persistence, and a sense of accomplishment as they successfully freed the animals.
Also, our babies love singing the "Brown Bear" song during mat time, where they enjoy learning about different animals. By incorporating mat time into their daily routine, we are creating a positive and engaging learning environment that supports their social, emotional, and cognitive development.