Each week, a small group of our four-year-olds at BestStart Botany Road enjoy a special community walk, providing valuable opportunities to explore, connect and learn about the world around them.
These regular community walks have become a much-loved part of our early learning programme in Botany. They help children build confidence, curiosity and a strong sense of belonging within their local community.
During this week’s walk, the children enthusiastically greeted church members, pedestrians, a friendly bus driver and members of the council patrol. Along the way, they noticed numbers on post boxes, identified local landmarks and learnt more about the important roles community helpers play.
The children also delighted in spotting different birds, flowers and trees, eagerly sharing their observations and discoveries with each other. These experiences encourage children to engage with their environment, ask questions and develop a deeper understanding of both the natural and social worlds around them.
Our weekly community walks also support children’s physical wellbeing through active movement. As they navigate different environments, they develop balance, coordination, stamina and confidence while experiencing their local neighbourhood.
Just as importantly, these walks help children understand that they are valued members and active participants in their wider community. By connecting with local people, places and nature, children are developing a strong sense of belonging and growing their confidence to explore the world around them.
A heartfelt thank you to our teaching team, Lucas’s mum and all the community members who make these weekly experiences so meaningful. Your warm interactions help our children feel seen, heard, valued and connected.
Through these weekly adventures, children are developing the Te Whāriki learning outcomes of Belonging (Mana Whenua), Wellbeing (Mana Atua), Exploration (Mana Aotūroa), Communication (Mana Reo) and Contribution (Mana Tangata) as they connect with people, places and the world around them.