As we celebrated Matariki, the children enthusiastically took part in preparing our garden bed for planting potatoes.
Using child-sized spades, they carefully dug into the soil, loosening and turning the earth with steady, purposeful movements.
They concentrated on their task, breaking up the soil to create a healthy space where the potatoes could grow. We talked about how we need to create mounds before planting potatoes. While digging, we discovered worms and tiny roots beneath the surface.
We gently moved the worms aside, recognising that they are an important part of keeping the soil healthy. One of the children asked what worms eat. We had a discussion and learnt that they eat leaves and decaying matter. Through this hands-on experience, children are developing a deeper understanding of the natural world and the role we all play in caring for the environment.
Matariki is a time of remembrance, renewal, and looking ahead to new beginnings. By preparing the garden for planting, we experienced the meaningful tradition of nurturing the whenua and planting for future harvests. We were able to contribute to a shared project that will provide food for us, fostering a sense of belonging (Mana Whenua), responsibility and connection to the land.
This experience reflects the Montessori belief that children learn best through purposeful, real-life activities. We strengthened coordination, concentration, independence, and showed perseverance while engaging in meaningful work that connects us with nature and the rhythms of the seasons. We are contributing to a shared goal, caring for the whenua and participating in a tradition that honors the cycles of nature, growth, and renewal.
Our work reflected respect for the environment and an understanding that everyone has a role in caring for the places we share. Gardening during Matariki helps to nurture our connection to nature, our community, and the values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), laying the foundations for lifelong respect for the land and the living world.