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Welcome to the construction zone
Recently at BestStart Oamaru Kindy one of our interests has been all things construction. This week we received new resources in the shape of miniature construction equipment such as excavators, dump trucks and bulldozers. The kaiako set these up in a trough outside filled with sand so that the tamariki could explore what it would be like to control heavy machinery themselves! What fun we had acting out the roll of digger and dump truck driver!
Playing with natural resources supports children to become capable explorers that can make discoveries by investigating their environment and asking questions which in turn supports them to come to conclusions independently. Combining our new construction toys with natural resources outside provides our tamariki with the opportunity to learn about concepts of maths and science as they move the sand and other natural resources around with the construction equipment. Role-playing or reliving experiences they have observed in the world around them helps our tamariki to understand these experiences as well as developing their social and emotional competencies. As tamariki engage with each other to act out their roles they are developing their language, communication, problem-solving and co-operation skills.