In the Explorers' Room (under twos) at BestStart Oraha Road, we prioritise intentional, responsive, and respectful practice. Every provocation we create is guided by the unique interests of our tamariki and the aspirations of their whānau. We are currently focused on weaving culture into our environment, with an emphasis on creativity and self-expression, as highlighted in Te Whāriki.
Our provocations take many forms, including art experiences, dramatic play, music, and sound-making. Each is intentionally designed to be inviting and accessible for the varying ages within our room. We regularly introduce songs from a range of cultures, embedding them into our daily routines and learning experiences.
This approach has deeply resonated with our families, who delight in hearing familiar songs from their own childhoods incorporated into our programme. Their involvement has strengthened whanaungatanga (a sense of connection and belonging) and ensures our learning environment reflects the identities of our children and their families.
For our tamariki, these creative and culturally responsive provocations foster joy, engagement, language development, collaboration, and openness to new ideas. We have observed children picking up new words and phrases, particularly as songs and experiences are repeated and connected to meaningful moments, home cultures, and familiar experiences.
As a team, we are proud of the journey we are on together, continually reflecting and adapting our practice to better meet the needs and interests of our children and families. Through our focus on intentional, responsive teaching and thoughtfully planned provocations, we have found that not only are our tamariki more engaged, but our kaiako are also inspired to learn alongside them. Together, we discover new ways of being creative, expressing ourselves, and exploring different perspectives.
This approach also reflects our Start With Heart 'Slow Down' philosophy. We value taking the time to be present, learning, playing, and creating alongside our tamariki.
Our advice is simple: reflect on the needs of your tamariki and the aspirations of your whānau, then respond with purposeful, culturally responsive learning experiences. That is the heart of intentional and respectful practice.