During Butterfly Appeal Week, kaiako intentionally supported nursery tamariki to develop both fine and gross motor skills through meaningful play, guided by the strands of Te Whāriki.
These everyday experiences support growing bodies while also nurturing confidence, curiosity, and independence. Play is a powerful and joyful way for nursery tamariki to explore the world around them. Gross motor development was encouraged through movements like crawling, climbing, reaching, and balancing during balloon play.
Tamariki strengthened their coordination and confidence as they moved their bodies, linking to the Exploration and Wellbeing strands. Fine motor skills were fostered through slime play and baking. Tamariki squeezed, stirred, and poured, building hand strength and control.
These experiences supported the Exploration and Communication strands, as tamariki explored materials and expressed their ideas. Kaiako used intentional teaching strategies by modelling movements, encouraging risk-taking in a safe environment, and supporting tamariki to try new challenges.
Through these playful experiences, tamariki developed growing confidence in their physical abilities while feeling a sense of belonging and connection. Whether it’s encouraging a child to try climbing or celebrating their first baking, these interactions deepen learning. In these moments of active play, tamariki are not just moving—they are learning, growing, and making sense of their world.