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Feeding the manu (birds) at BestStart Stokes Valley
Recently the tamariki in our Infants and Toddlers Room have been loving the local manu (birds) when they come to visit us. Watching the tui birds in the local kowhai tree is always a treat, and so together we decided to create some bird feeders to attract more feathery friends to delight our tamariki.
The process of creating the bird feeders was one of teamwork. It encouraged and supported positive social interactions, and encouraged communication as we talked about what we were doing and what the outcomes of it could be. The children practiced taking turns and helping out our younger friends by being role models and demonstrating how to sprinkle the seed over the pinecones. Kotahitanga is part of our local curriculum and is where children work together towards a shared goal, which on this occasion was to create bird feeders to attract more manu to visit us.
It was wonderful to see our local curriculum in action. Exploring and being involved in play within our natural environment allows children to learn by doing and experimenting with ideas. It allows children to think, and question, sparking their natural curiosity and developing their inquisitive minds.