Growing Little Voices Through Everyday Learning

At BestStart St. Lukes, we believe that every interaction is a valuable opportunity to support our babies’ oral language development.

In Hiwa i te Rangi, we regularly engage our little learners in shared reading, singing and mat times, creating a warm and engaging environment where language learning happens naturally.

During our shared reading experiences, our babies enjoy exploring colourful pictures, pointing to familiar objects and animals, and listening as their kaiako introduce new words and sounds. These interactions encourage our tamariki to express themselves through gestures, facial expressions, sounds and emerging words, while gradually building their understanding of language.

Songs and nursery rhymes are another wonderful part of our daily routines. Our babies enjoy listening to familiar tunes, clapping their hands, copying actions and beginning to join in with sounds and words. Through repetition, rhythm and movement, these playful experiences help strengthen listening skills, expand vocabulary and build confidence in communication.

Our mat times bring tamariki together to enjoy songs, stories and interactive activities alongside their kaiako and friends. These moments provide opportunities to practise listening, respond to familiar words and actions, and develop positive connections with others, fostering both communication skills and a sense of belonging.

Through these meaningful everyday experiences, our babies are developing their communication skills, building relationships and discovering the joy of language.

It is wonderful to watch their confidence and curiosity grow as they find new ways to connect, communicate and express themselves!