In Te Ruma Tūī, ngā tamariki have been enjoying picking raspberries from our preschool garden. These experiences support meaningful learning while nurturing a strong sense of kaitiakitanga, as tamariki learn to care for and protect the environment around them.
This learning links closely with our centre value of exploration. Our environment invites wonder and curiosity, empowering tamariki to play, imagine, ask questions, and explore alongside one another while developing respect for the natural world.
Through planting, watering, pruning, and nurturing the raspberry plants, tamariki are learning that living things need ongoing care to grow and thrive. These hands-on experiences also support the development of fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination as children carefully tend the plants and gently pick the fruit.
Gardening helps ngā tamariki understand where food comes from and encourages respect for nature, seasons, and sustainable practices. Harvesting and tasting the raspberries supports healthy eating and sensory learning, while shared gardening experiences foster cooperation, responsibility, and pride.
Our tamariki have begun discussing how they might use the raspberries, including baking, creating a picnic for afternoon kai, and sharing with friends and whānau. While in the garden, they also noticed our feijoa trees beginning to flower, leading to conversations about the importance of watering so the flowers can grow into feijoa. Exciting times are ahead in our garden.