Within the nursery at BestStart Rangiora, we have been loving exploring BestStart's 16 Areas of Play.
One of our most favourite areas are Water and Messy Play.
As the weather warms up, our little learners’ hearts fill with joy - they know what that means: more water play! Water isn’t just fun; it’s a soothing and important part of everyday life and community. It’s a natural medium for learning that children are drawn to from a very young age.
Today, we created an under-the-sea and beach-themed experience for our tamariki to explore, inspired by their favourite waiata, Kai Moana and Slippery Fish. Together, we sang the songs and noticed how this water play encouraged key social skills - singing with one another, communicating when it was their turn, and problem-solving with friends. As the kaiako observed our tamaiti at play, one thing stood out: the joy and wonder sparked by the different textures they explored. Simple strategies, like commenting on how the sand felt, truly enriched their learning experience.
At BestStart Rangiora, we love exploring water and sensory play! Come visit our nursery to see our learning in action. We’re currently offering Stay and Play sessions throughout October - hope to see you there!