Over the past week, we’ve been having a wonderful time exploring the magic of frozen natural resources here at Parau Drive.
Our tamariki have shown a genuine curiosity about the natural world, sparking rich conversations, investigations, and hands-on discoveries.
To build on this interest, we went on a nature hunt around our environment — both within the centre and at home. The tamariki collected a variety of natural treasures: leaves, flowers, sticks, stones, petals, and anything else that caught their eye. With excitement and creativity, we placed these items into containers of water and popped them into the freezer.
The next day, the real adventure began! There was such delight as the children explored their frozen creations. They noticed textures, colours, patterns, and how the ice changed as it warmed. Some tapped it, some held it, and others observed quietly as the ice slowly melted, revealing the natural resources inside.
This experience has supported:
🌱 Scientific thinking — observing changes, predicting what might happen, experimenting.
🎨 Creativity and expression — arranging natural items in beautiful ways.
🤲 Sensory learning — exploring temperature, texture, and physical change.
🧠 Curiosity about the world — engaging closely with nature and its processes.
It has been inspiring to see the tamariki connect so deeply with the natural world and collaborate in such meaningful exploration. We look forward to continuing this journey of discovery and following the children’s interests as they unfold.