At Best Start Waihi East, we recognise that our tamariki learn best in an environment shaped by their interests.
At the moment, their passion for creating and exploring supports their ako (learning), and we embrace this by providing a range of engaging experiences, including science experiments, baking, arts and crafts, and building.
These activities nurture their pākiki (curiosity) while also supporting the development of fine motor skills and sustained concentration. Our tamariki are encouraged to explore, question, and discover—wondering what might happen when they combine materials or try something new, strengthening their sense of rangahau (inquiry).
When the weather is fine, we take our learning outdoors, where messy play becomes a rich opportunity for tūhura (exploration) and sensory learning. Tamariki are invited to use their senses—feeling gloop between their fingers and toes, painting with their hands and feeling the texture of it, as some of our younger tamariki like to finger paint their face, or mixing dye with sand to see what colours they might discover.
These joyful experiences foster creativity, confidence, and a love for learning within a supportive taiao ako (learning environment). During the cooler ngahuru (Autumn) months, our tamariki have been expressing a growing interest in a variety of creative and hands-on experiences. Science experiments have been especially popular—our boys, in particular, enjoy the excitement of more “explosive” and messy discoveries, sparking their pākiki and sense of rangahau.
Baking has also become a favourite, with tamariki helping to prepare afternoon tea such as scones, pizza, smoothies, and cutting fresh fruit. These experiences support their independence and develop important practical skills while strengthening their ako.
Creative expression continues to flourish through painting and making cards for our whānau, allowing tamariki to share their ideas and emotions in meaningful ways. Alongside this, physical play remains an important part of our day, with climbing, swinging, using the monkey bars, and exploring the back paddock in search of bugs—encouraging tūhura and connection with the natural taiao.
As the seasons change, we are embracing the beauty of ngahuru and learning alongside it, supporting our tamariki to grow, discover, and thrive.