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Exploring Creativity with Playdough
At BestStart Blenheim Central, our tamariki recently had fun with playdough and collage materials such as pompoms, sticks, letters and a range of tools. Tamariki showcased their creativity, decorating their playdough creations with an array of materials.
Through this hands-on activity, they learned valuable skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and material selection—essential components of their social and emotional development. Tamariki worked alongside each other, sharing resources and taking turns with the equipment. It's in these moments of mutual respect and exploration that we see the principles of our philosophy of empowerment come to life.
By noticing and responding to their interests, strengths, and abilities, we help each child to feel respected and valued. This experience aligns seamlessly with the holistic development strand of Te Whāriki, our early childhood curriculum. Te Whāriki emphasizes exploring and making sense of the world in a holistic manner. The children’s play was not only fun it was also a meaningful learning experience that fostered their sense of belonging and contributed to their overall development.
As our tamariki continue to experiment and create, they build a foundation for lifelong learning. At our centre, we are proud to empower each child to explore their world confidently and creatively.