08/12/2025
Christmas has begun in the Tuhura Room, and our tamariki have been busy exploring, creating, singing, and celebrating the joy of the season together.
We started by putting up our Christmas tree (yes in November!). Tamariki worked together to hang decorations, stars, and the ornaments they had made themselves. This supported whakamahi ringa - using our hands with purpose, fine-motor development, turn-taking, and mahi tahi - working together as we cared for our shared learning space.
Our room has been filled with music as we practised Christmas songs. Tamariki sang with confidence, remembered actions, and listened to one another as a group. Singing together strengthens reo development, rhythm, memory, and our sense of whanaungatanga - belonging and connection.
Creating our angel puppets has been a joyful and meaningful experience. Tamariki carefully decorated the felt wings and their angels, and shared their creations with pride. This supported perseverance, creativity, hand eye coordination, and mana motuhake - growing independence. At mat time Rebecca talked about angels as helpers and bringers of good news, just as we try to show kindness and help one another in our classroom.
We also welcomed a very special visitor from Samantha Rose Florist, who extended our recent interest in te taiao - the natural world. Tamariki explored a variety of flowers, noticing their colours, shapes, textures, and smells. They learned that florists arrange flowers with care and creativity, and some tamariki even created their own beautiful arrangements. This experience supported science exploration, sensory play, creative expression, and learning to care for God’s creation as kaitiaki – guardians of our environment.
Another very special surprise has been happening just outside our Tuhura Room door - our swallow chicks have hatched! A mother swallow chose a ledge outside our room to make her nest and Tamariki have been watching closely each day as the tiny babies grow, listening for their quiet cheeps, and noticing when mum and dad return with food. It has been a special reminder that even the smallest lives are loved and cared for.
Throughout all of these experiences, our tamariki have been growing in confidence, cooperation, problem-solving, and showing aroha and kindness towards one another as we prepare for Christmas together.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
We are so proud of the learning, creativity, and joy happening in the Tuhura Room and look forward to continuing our Christmas journey together.