Our Pōhutukawa preschool tamariki recently headed out on a very special Set for School adventure, taking their learning beyond the walls of our preschool and into our local community at Beachlands Hall.
For some of our children, the adventure began before we even arrived! We hopped aboard a public bus – a first for a few of our tamariki. There was plenty of excitement as we waited for the bus, climbed aboard, and watched the world go by.
This simple experience created so many opportunities for learning, from developing confidence and independence to practising social skills and understanding how we connect with our wider community.
When we arrived at the hall, we were ready for another exciting experience – Storytime! The tamariki settled in to enjoy the much-loved story We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. But this was no ordinary storytime!
With Caitlyn, our storyteller, the children became part of the adventure. Rather than simply listening to the words, they were encouraged to move, act, imagine, and physically role-play the story. They stomped through the grass, splashed through the water, squelched through the mud, and joined in with all the familiar actions and sounds.
It was wonderful to see the tamariki becoming confident storytellers themselves, using their bodies, voices, and imaginations to bring the story to life.
This experience beautifully supports our Set for School learning, strengthening oral language, listening, concentration, confidence, social interaction, and the ability to follow a sequence of events.
Most importantly, our tamariki experienced the joy of learning through adventure, connection, and discovery – building memories and skills that will help them feel confident as they continue their journey towards school.
At Shelly Bay, we believe some of the best learning happens when we step outside, explore our community, and discover what is possible together.