LATEST STORIES
Turangawaewae
At BestStart Richmond Kindy our recent learning focus has been Turangawaewae which in Maori culture means places where we feel empowered and connected, our sense of identity. It is our foundation, our place in this world and our home.
The tamariki are learning about our local Ngati Tuwharetoa community and how it has meaning for us and how we can contribute to it.
Our tamariki have been learning about local myths and legends through pukapuka (books) such as 'Battle of the Mountains', 'In the Beginning' and 'Horomatangi the Taniwha'. They have also been recreating these stories through play such as building mountains, rivers and lakes in the sandpit and creating their very own Lake Taupo, Mt Ruapehu and Motutaiko. Tamariki have been working alongside one another with the support of their kaiako to develop and learn their own pepeha; which is introducing themselves in Te Reo Maori. They have been gaining confidence to share their pepeha with their peers during group times.
Tamariki have been respecting Papatuanuku through planting and harvesting fruit and vegetables from the trees and gardens around our centre. The discussion (korero) flowing whilst tamariki are caring for their garden supports them to make connections between people, places and things.