Over the past few months here at BestStart Lynmore, we have been incorporating a new initiative.
A 'Stay And Play' experience which invites our centre whānau to join in and play alongside their tamariki and contribute their unique knowledge and skills to play activities!
This has included music and movement days, baking days, art days, construction and creating with loose parts, as well as setting up treasure hunts in our centre garden and obstacle/outdoor challenges that support physical confidence.
Our whānau have been experiencing first-hand how their tamariki learn through play and how the tamariki's interests drive and shape their learning.
We have encompassed BestStart's 16 Area's of Play - this is play research backed by Dr Barbara Backshall, which also links to our Early Childhood curriculum document Te Whāriki. We have enjoyed the participation and involvement of our community and local kura.
Our centre whānau came to and share their skills and knowledge; our local high school students playing alongside our tamariki and brought new waiata for us to treasure.
This tuakana teina learning, where a more experienced or older learner teaches and supports another, is a valued and meaningful way of acquiring new skills. Their contribution enriches our environment and we all grow together.
'Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourouka ora ai te iwi - With your basket and my basket together the people will thrive'.