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Kaitiaki of our Gardens
Kia ora e te whanau, Welcome to Beststart Riccarton Park, we may be a new centre, but our kari (garden) is thriving! Our tamariki asked us if they could water our tipu (plants) as they said Te Rā (the sun) was making them hiainu (thirsty). We have added this experience to our daily routine as our tamariki enjoy being kaitiaki (guardians) of our garden.
This has shown me how valuable this experience is. Not only are they taking care of our garden and feeding our tipu (plants), but they are also building trust within each other and trust is a foundation that strong relationships are based on. Tuākana tēina is a practice that relates to the older tamariki helping the younger tamariki and throughout this experience, this is happening beautifully. Our tuākana are supporting the tēina with turn taking and showing them where to water our tipu ātaahua.
'We are feeding the garden and making the plants puku (tummy) all full', the tamariki said. 'I feel happy helping the plants, our garden will grow super big', a tamariki said excited. The tamariki are enjoying spending quality time together and love watching our tipu grow, mahi whakamīharo our kaitiaki!