Today at BestStart Riverbend Road - we had Science Day!
We set up a sugar crystal experiment using sugar, baking soda, vinegar, hot water and food colouring.
Kaiako had seen this idea on social media and were curious to try it. However, the experiment did not go quite as planned but our tamariki had no expectations and were content to watch and take part.
They used droppers to add colour and solution to the sugar mountain. Many children waited patiently for their turn, eager to be part of this learning. There was a lot of interest as children leaned in closer to watch and asked questions about what to do next.
We noticed children showing curiosity and persistence as they explored these materials and learning about scientific methods. Their willingness to wait and watch shows developing dispositions for learning such as curiosity and perseverance (dispositions).
This experience supports the learning outcome: Children develop confidence in and an understanding of the world (Ngā hua ako: Children learn about and gain an understanding of the natural world). Through hands-on exploration with droppers, liquid and solids, tamariki practised fine motor control and early scientific thinking — observing, predicting and asking questions.
Our approach reflected Beststart Riverbend Road’s focus on manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga by encouraging respectful, shared exploration and connecting children to natural materials. Using ENRICH talk moves — prompting and modelling vocabulary like “dropper”, “solution”, and “colour” — to grow oral language during the activity.