LATEST STORIES
Fun Games at BestStart Parkside
Over this term, we have focused on planning fun games for our tamariki. For our Healthy Heart Gold Certificate, active movement activities integrated with emerging literacy, numeracy skills, social competency skills, and the Set for School program via games has been very rewarding in achieving successful learning outcomes for the tamariki.
From our observations, we have noticed games are very motivating to get the children’s attention, be they any age. As soon as we announce "Who wants to play a game?", most of the children show interest and want to join in. This happens because the previous game sessions are either fun or entertaining, and children want to have more of what they have loved previously.
Games foster social-emotional learning, and learning through play is more meaningful for young children. Games have helped children to learn to work as a team, work in pairs, listen to instructions, listen to each other, problem solve, help each other, follow rules, have spatial awareness, and look after their body, mind and spirit. Therefore, games nurture their whole existence.
The children have also shared game ideas and helped design and make games for Christmas this year, showing us how skillful and creative they are. One of our parents also supported us by making candy cane sticks, which we improvised as mini hockey sticks.