At BestStart Everglade Babies, our tamariki recently enjoyed a delightful pretend tea party in the children’s dining area. We set up colourful fruit and coffee mugs, inviting the children to explore, pour, and share with their friends.
Their faces lit up with joy as they took turns serving each other, practising kindness, patience, and social interaction. Through this playful experience, children developed creativity and imagination while building communication skills.
Pretend play also supports problem-solving, cooperation, and a sense of responsibility as tamariki navigate sharing and taking turns.
Activities like these nurture the Te Whāriki principles of Belonging and Contribution, helping children feel included, valued, and part of the learning community.
We love how simple play moments can become powerful opportunities. Each tea party is more than fun — it is a chance for tamariki to grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively while developing meaningful connections with peers.
Play experiences like this show the joy of learning through imagination, fostering confidence, relationships, and a love of exploration that will stay with them every day at BestStart Everglade Babies.