Here at Play to Learn our tamariki participated in doing some gardening. Recently they have planted the sunflower seeds in the box. Using the spade, they dug into the soil and put the sunflower seeds in it. Then they covered the seeds with soil. Once the planting was done, they watered the garden using the water can. Now, all we need to do is to wait for the shoots to appear. Awesome work, tamariki ma!!! One particular flower that tends to bring joy wherever it is found is the sunflower … [Read more...]
The benefits of beginning education for sustainability (EfS) in early childhood education are becoming widely known. There is a growing concern in the western world that children’s access to the outside world is decreasing and children are becoming disconnected from nature and thus not gaining in the foundational ethic of care toward the environment.
~ Croft Anita, NZ Tertiary College - Leading the change toward education for sustainability in early childhood education. Peer-reviewed paper: Vol 5, No 1 - May 2017
Here at Play to Learn we believe in supporting ngaa tamariki connections to the natural and living world through connecting to Papatuuaanuku and her tamariki. Each month we will be highlighting activities that the teachers and children will be involved in with implementing sustainable practices. We are looking to raise awareness via Play to Learn by making our own small contribution to sustainability in Aotearoa.
Follow us on our monthly updates and see what we are up to !
Pacifica week
Here at Play to Learn our tamariki have participated in the Pacifica week. During this time, they have made a Pacific Island mat through weaving. “For thousands of years, finely woven mats have been both everyday and formal items. They have been used as clothing, bedcovers, and room dividers, as well as ceremonial coverings at births, weddings, and funerals. Considered a marker of status and wealth, finely woven mats were also given as diplomatic gifts and were important trade items. The giving … [Read more...]
Enjoying Baking Together
Today for my special dish we made blueberry muffins and dyed them pink! This was a special treat my parents would make my sisters and me on a Saturday morning or when we had friends over. We always dyed them funny colours - I don’t know why! We also are eating banana slices with chocolate syrup and sprinkles, which was an easy after-school snack we would have before ballet/swimming/marching band/play practice! It was also a special treat and we would sometimes get toothpicks to dip the banana … [Read more...]
Manaakitanga
Manaakitanga is the heart of everything we do at Play to Learn. We look after our tamariki, whaanau and each other. We have celebrated Matariki annually, and the best way we know how is through kai - it brings us together, living our kaupapa -whakawhaanaungatanga. Ngaa kaiako have always shared a special whaanau kai for Matariki, and we relay the stories of this special kai with ngaa tamariki. Over the years, I have made star cookies, boil up, chop suey and last year, we had a haangi. This … [Read more...]
Matariki at Play to Learn
We are learning about, and celebrating, Matariki at Play to Learn and one of the ways in which we illustrate Matariki is through the sharing of kai. Every year each kaiako, with the help of ngaa tamariki, prepares and cooks a special family dish. Yesterday we cooked a meal that is special to me and my whaanau. Many years ago my Nana owned a ‘greasy spoon’ cafe in London, my Mum would work there after school and in the holidays. My Dad would often pop in there. He would call out to my Nana … [Read more...]