Today in the sandpit, our clever and creative tamariki turned simple bamboo pipes into a magical, flowing waterfall!
It all began with a big idea: could they make a waterfall using just bamboo, water, and gravity? With plenty of excitement (and a bit of trial and error!), the tamariki got to work.
They started by hammering bamboo pipes vertically into the sand, creating sturdy bases to build on. Next came the half pipes – carefully balanced and adjusted to guide the water downwards from one to the next.
This was no easy task! They had to experiment with different pipe lengths and sizes, figuring out which pieces would fit together and how to angle them just right. The key challenge? Making sure the pipes slanted downward enough so that the water could travel all the way from the top to the bottom without stopping.
There was plenty of persistence and teamwork on display. When the water didn’t flow, the tamariki didn’t give up. Instead, they talked it through, made adjustments, tested and tried again. They were immersed in hands-on learning, using science and maths concepts without even realising it – exploring gravity, angles, flow, and measurement, all while having fun. And then – success!
Water ran down through the pipes, flowing from top to bottom, and the air was filled with squeals of delight and proud smiles. What began as an idea had become a working waterfall, powered by curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. These moments in the sandpit are so much more than play – they’re full of rich learning, deep thinking, and joyful discovery.
Ka pai, tamariki mā. Your persistence, problem-solving, and teamwork were inspiring!