In celebration of Mother’s Day, our tamariki took part in a meaningful soy wax candle-making experience.
The experience began with an olfactory lesson, where the children explored a variety of scents using their sense of smell.
After carefully observing and comparing fragrances, each child selected their preferred scent, including apple and cinnamon, berry, caramel and fig. This sensory exploration sparked many rich conversations as the children connected the scents to familiar foods and experiences from home.
They shared stories about fruits, desserts, baking, and special family moments, supporting language development, memory recall, and social connection. As the candle-making process unfolded, the children were introduced to new vocabulary and learned about the different parts of a candle, especially the wick and its purpose.
Through further inquiry, the children became curious about what a candle maker is called. Together, we discovered that a professional candle maker is known as a “chandler.” Excited by this discovery, the children stepped into the role of a chandler and individually created a soy wax candle for their mum.
They carefully participated in measuring, pouring, and assembling their candles, developing concentration, independence, and fine motor skills along the way. This experience was a wonderful opportunity for sensory exploration, inquiry-based learning, creativity, and purposeful work, while creating a heartfelt gift filled with love and care for Mother’s Day.