LATEST STORIES
Sensory Play Fun
During February 2022 at Best-Start Onehunga, kaiako (teachers) have been noticing the curiosity of tamariki (children) and their interest in sensory play. The children have been enjoying painting, and messy play, with sand, water and textured art. It has been a pleasure watching our tamariki getting involved in these experiences while developing relationships and negotiation skills. Kaiako have been supporting the learning with provocations as well as encouraging participation and sharing of ideas.
We have new children settling in the infant room and the kaiako have been supporting these infants, during this time we noticed that our older babies have shown great interest in dramatic play. They have been copying what their kaiako are doing, and have enjoyed rocking, singing and walking around the room shushing their dolls, or patting them to sleep in the doll’s bed. We love that the toddlers have been observing their teachers and adding this knowledge to their dramatic play. We believe this is a true reflection of the Maori values of Tuakana-teina which refers to the relationship between an older person (tuakana) and a younger person (teina),and the learning gained through these interactions.