Kura Taiao
The Karioi room aim to visit kura taiao Wednesday morning and Friday afternoons, rain or shine. We do not bring much with us, just a mat to sit on and the essentials such as sun protection, water and food. This opens up many doors for the children to use their imagination and creativity, think outside the box, be inventive, explore and experiment with the natural found materials around them.
With little stimulation from provided resources, tamariki stop and notice the wonder all around them. Our aim here is to give children the opportunity to freely explore the natural environment. Here they can let their imagination run wild, find creatures in the grass and turn sticks into swords, wands, or sailing ships.
Anything is possible when children are encouraged to explore and challenge themselves. There are trees to climb, flax to weave, gardens to attend to, long grass to sit in and a tidal stream and many birds and even tuna (eel) to observe.
At Kura Taiao tamariki have the opportunity to connect with our local whenua and spend time in the nature that is right at our doorstep. This space is about letting children be free in our natural environment and welcoming them to become the designers of their learning experiences.
While we are at Kura Taiao we often observe and support tamariki to challenge themselves in a different way and strengthen their physical, social and emotional skills. We see wonderful learning dispositions emerge around social competency, creativity, self-regulation, problem solving and observation skills. There are plenty of opportunities to practise and develop skills such as collaboration, kaitiakitanga, and creativity. Tamariki have the opportunity to learn about keeping themselves and others safe as we navigate the driveway and carpark on the way to kura taiao. You may also see us lighting a small fire and learning fire safety.
Wainui Bush Park weekly excursion for all 4 year olds
Our Wainui Bush Park Programme is a great opportunity for tamariki to connect to our local whenua and enjoy playing, creating, learning, exploring and just being in nature. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area of Aotearoa /New Zealand and it is important to use to give tamariki the opportunity to learn and play amongst nature.
Every Wednesday rain or shine our Waka Kura children walk down to the Wainui Bush Park Reserve. Here, the tamariki have the opportunity to engage in bushcraft activities, explore in nature and participate in fun team building activities. We will depart the centre at 9:30 am and arrive back at 1:30pm.
Some Learning Benefits
• Creative innovative thinking
• Curiousity
• Kaitiakitanga
• Risk-taking
• Confidence
• Developing tūrangawaewae
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Resilience
• Bushcraft skills
• Responsibility for belongings