LATEST STORIES
Tea Party and Fashion Show at BestStart Ōmokoroa
Here at BestStart Ōmokoroa, whānau Play is an everyday experience that the tamariki explore. They enjoy taking on different roles by dressing up in costumes and cultural clothing, as well as having meals with their friends and engaging in conversations. Whānau play also includes exploring finger puppets and role-playing different stories that they have heard and retelling them in their own ways.
Our Kaiako are always there to support the children by finding new ways for them to express themselves through this form of creative art. There are many benefits of whānau play exploration for tamariki. It can support their social competency through interactions with friends, and provide opportunities for them to improve language skills through communication. Whānau play also allows tamariki to express their emotions and explore different roles, while learning about cooperation through turn-taking with friends.
Tamariki of all ages love to explore our whānau play spaces and enjoy the opportunity to have fun and engage in an environment where they can be themselves. Many tamariki enjoy the experience of exploring new roles while dressed in different clothing, and the kaiako support them by setting up additional experiences that extend this interest and help further their learning. Cooking and baking in the whānau play spaces is a daily experience that the children enjoy, as they pretend to be in other environments where they may have observed the experience they are role-playing happening and are making connections to the wider world through their actions.