At BestStart Montessori Rongotai, we believe that communication is at the heart of learning, relationships, and wellbeing.
As part of our commitment to supporting every child's language development, we now have Core Boards available both inside our classrooms and throughout our outdoor environment.
These communication boards, which can also be found in playgrounds across Wellington, use pictures, symbols, and key vocabulary to support children to express their thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings. Having the same Core Board available indoors and outdoors creates consistency and continuity for children throughout their day. Children are able to access familiar vocabulary regardless of where they are learning, helping them build confidence and independence as communicators. Our teachers intentionally model language by pointing to symbols while speaking, supporting children to connect words, meaning, and experiences in real-life contexts.
This benefits all children, including those developing their oral language, learning more than one language, or who may benefit from additional visual supports. The impact extends beyond language development. The Core Board is a powerful tool for supporting children's social and emotional learning. It helps children identify and communicate their feelings, ask for help, solve problems with peers, make choices, and participate in conversations. When children can express themselves effectively, they are better able to build friendships, develop empathy, navigate social situations, and feel a sense of belonging within our community. We have loved seeing children gather around the boards during play, use symbols to share ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations with teachers and friends.
These moments reflect the Montessori principle that every child is capable, competent, and deserving of a voice. By embedding communication supports throughout our learning environment, we are creating a culture where every child can participate, connect, and thrive.
At Montessori Rongotai, we know that every conversation counts. By supporting children's ability to communicate today, we are laying the foundations for confident learners, strong relationships, and lifelong wellbeing.