This month in the Kākano room, our Nature Discovery Station has been a popular space for tamariki to engage in sensory exploration, creativity, and investigation.
The area was thoughtfully set up with a variety of stainless steel containers, spoons, tongs, a mortar and pestle, fresh rosemary, pink flower petals, and water, inviting children to experiment and discover using all their senses.
Children spent extended periods of time exploring alongside one another, confidently mixing, pouring, scooping, transferring, crushing, and stirring the natural materials.
As they combined the petals, rosemary, and water, they observed changes in colour, texture, and smell, creating their own unique mixtures. The mortar and pestle provided opportunities to crush and grind the materials, encouraging children to explore how things can be transformed through their actions.
Throughout the experience, children were developing fine motor strength and coordination as they manipulated the tools and materials. They were also strengthening early mathematical concepts as they filled, emptied, compared quantities, and explored different-sized containers.
Sensory experiences such as smelling the rosemary, feeling the petals, and observing the effects of mixing encouraged curiosity, problem-solving, and early scientific thinking.
Exploring alongside their peers also supported social learning, communication, and a sense of belonging, as children observed each other’s ideas, shared resources, and learned together through meaningful play and discovery.