04/08/2025
🐮🐴 Mountaineers had a farm (visit) E,I,E,I,O
You’ve seen the cuteness… now it’s time to share (some of) the learning!
Any opportunity to care for, feed, observe and interact with animals, provides meaningful learning. Here’s how the learning can be linked to the five strands of Te Whāriki, Aotearoa’s early learning curriculum.
❤️ Mana Atua | Wellbeing
Pure manaakitanga! Children gained an awareness of how to treat other living beings, while learning how to keep themselves and others safe around animals.
🌎 Mana Whenua | Belonging
Tamariki strengthened links between Mountaineers, home and the wider world. Many showed a strong sense of responsibility in caring for, and welcoming the animals into our space.
🤝 Mana Tangata | Contribution
During the animal visits, all children had equitable opportunity for learning and participation and were encouraged to participate and learn with and alongside others.
🗣️ Mana Reo | Communication
Communication skills were used for a variety of purposes, such as exploring noises, asking questions and sharing their ideas. Tamariki also had the opportunity to gain awareness of animals' non verbal communication and cues.
Mana Aotūroa | Exploration
Children engaged in hands-on learning experiences such as feeding and patting the animals. This has influenced other areas of play, like constructing and creative expression, where children can explore their ideas further, make sense of the world and test their own working theories.
There is no greater season for learning than Early Childhood, where every experience and interaction shapes the brain. ✨🧠
