LATEST STORIES
Learning Through Tactile Play
At BestStart Parkside, we understand that sensory stimulation provides a holistic learning opportunity for ngā tamariki. Sensory play taps into a child’s mauri (core) that resonates through their cognitive (hinengaro), physical (tinana), emotional (whatumanawa), and spiritual (wairua) dimensions while also further enhancing and developing their social and cultural dimensions.
Te Whāriki states in its Exploration goal that “children learn through play: by doing, asking questions, interacting with others, devising theories about how things work and then trying them out and by making purposeful use of resources. As they engage in exploration, they begin to develop attitudes and expectations that will continue to influence their learning throughout life.”
Since celebrating matariki, the space has been a big interest for all our tamariki. We followed this interest and set up various learning opportunities where they explored all the planets, space stations, rocket ships and all the stars in the night sky which was through water play, messy play, arts and crafts, music and movement and imaginative play.
Whanau has been an integral part of this learning opportunity where they have come into the centre to celebrate matariki and also support us with the core learning about space which we invested into our tamariki. We have continued this Space Journey and entered space week in October where we incorporated plenty of experiences.