Our Kakapo Room (2–3 years) has been buzzing with curiosity, imagination, and joyful learning this month! With a range of rich, hands-on experiences, tamariki have been exploring their world through play, collaboration, and sensory fun.
Indoors, kaiako created an imaginative play space where children cared for dolls, cooked pretend meals, and experimented with real-life objects such as pots, cups, and kitchen tools. The children were deeply engaged, stirring, mixing, and practising their confidence with utensils. These experiences strengthen fine motor skills, early language, and social awareness as tamariki converse, share space, and act out familiar routines.
Outdoors, tamariki enjoyed vibrant sensory play. Guided by kaiako, they explored materials such as paint, gloop, and water; pouring, spreading, mixing, and watching new patterns, textures, and colours emerge. Sensory play nurtures creativity and supports early science and maths concepts like cause and effect, texture, and colour mixing, while also providing opportunities for collaboration, turn-taking, and self-expression.
Another favourite this month was shape-sorting and puzzle activities. Tamariki worked together to fit wooden shapes into matching holes, experimenting with angles and learning through trial and error. This strengthens cognitive skills including problem-solving, spatial understanding, and persistence. It was heart-warming to see children encouraging one another and celebrating each small success.
At this age, children learn best through hands-on exploration. Our Kakapo Room is intentionally designed to nurture independence, curiosity, and connection. Whether cooking in the play kitchen, exploring paint and gloop, or working through puzzles with friends, every experience contributes to growing confidence and a sense of belonging. We are so proud of our tamariki and the joyful enthusiasm they bring to each new challenge.