Today our youngest tamariki embraced a vibrant and sensory-rich painting experience in the nursery!
With a large sheet of paper spread across the floor, our infants were free to explore using their hands and feet, creating colourful masterpieces with every movement.
The mixture of colours, textures, and sensations ignited their curiosity, offering endless opportunities for learning and discovery. This creative session links closely to Te Whāriki, particularly the strand of Mana Aotūroa, where children learn through active exploration of the environment.
We were engaged in all of our senses, feeling the cool, slippery paint on our skin, observing the colours blend, and laughing with one another as we slipped and slid around. This messy play is more than art, it’s foundational learning for our pepi! The open plan provocation supported one of our important nursery values of 'freedom of movement', allowing pēpi to move confidently, develop coordination, and build physical and cognitive skills at their own pace.
It also fostered social engagement, as they watched, reached out to, and responded to one another throughout their play. By offering these rich, sensory experiences, we honour each child’s right to explore in their own way, building strong foundations for learning, creativity, and connection. As the paint dried, the memories remain vividly alive in every colourful photo displayed on our nursery wall to share with whanau and friends!