Seven Stars Kindergarten

Since returning from the Christmas break our children have been straight back into learning. They have been very involved in rich experiences here at Seven stars. Through conversation, scaffolding and allowing children to engage in their own set ups the children have been increasing their knowledge and skills.

Day 30 of : Winter Walk 🌲❄️

In the spirit of Froebel’s philosophy of learning through exploration and enquiry, we took a winter walk around our kindergarten today. We encouraged our tamariki to observe their surroundings, describe what they see, and gather natural treasures such as sticks, fallen leaves, pinecones, moss, and more. 🌿🍁 You might spot some of these familiar finds!

Using these materials in our daily activities not only sparks creativity but also supports sustainability. From crafting bird feeders and stick figures to designing stunning art pieces, ice decorations, and unique wool creations, these elements of nature have inspired and enriched our projects over the past month. They’ve also reinforced our commitment to environmental stewardship and the beauty of reusing nature's gifts.

Swipe through to revisit the fantastic crafts we've made using these natural wonders! ♻️🎨

What can you discover on your winter walk? Use our checklist to start your adventure, and please share what other treasures you find!

Day 29 of : Gardening 🍓🌱

A few months ago, we received a large strawberry plant as a gift. Our children eagerly awaited the fruit and learned to care for the plant with sun and water. Soon, they enjoyed tasting the ripe, red strawberries.

Something exciting happened; the plant also grew new baby strawberry plants at the end of what looked like long tentacles. After explaining what was happening to the children, we carefully replanted them into pots. Over weeks, these new plants thrived and were ready to join the original in a large planter.

Today, the children helped transplant the strawberries, discussing their origins and care needs. We'll ensure they get sun and water to grow healthy and produce sweet fruit, which we'll use in our daily cooking.

This gardening experience reflects Froebel's philosophy of nurturing children's connection with nature. This resonates with kaitiakitanga, a Te Ao Māori concept emphasising guardianship over sky, sea, and land—a core value we aim to instill in our tamariki. Our goal is for even the youngest child to cherish, respect, and care for all aspects of the natural world, both living and non-living.

Day 27 of : Create a Weather Diary ⛅📓

A weather diary is a fun and engaging way to observe and track the climate around us. By keeping track of the weather over a week, a month, or even just a single day, tamariki gain valuable experience and insight into the natural world and their role within it. This activity supports the Froebelian practice of learning through real-life experiences and helps children reflect on concepts like the environment, sustainability, and climate change.

Day 26 of : Woodwork/Carpentry 🔨👷

At kindergarten, woodwork and carpentry are frequent activities with children using real tools. They are part of Froebel’s ‘occupations’ that embrace the holistic nature of the development of children.

Our tamariki know it’s safety first! They have to wear shoes, and safety equipment such as safety glasses and earmuffs is also provided for them. 🥽

Long before products take shape, children learn the foundational steps of woodworking: how to confidently grasp a hammer, position a nail, use enough force to drive it into the wood, and work safely around others.

There is something special about woodwork’s ability to engage young children. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠. 💪🧠

Next time you’re doing some DIY at your house, maybe involve your child with a hammer, wood, and nails. You might be surprised at how capable and competent they are! 💛

Day 25 of - Black Line Drawing ✏️🎨

Children begin by creating black line drawings to tell a story. By guiding tamariki through the process of investigating and engaging with the real world, we can have a lasting impact on their ability to successfully express themselves. 🧠✨

A Froebelian approach to creativity is about children representing their own ideas in their own way. As children gain experience and understanding of the symbolic potential of materials, ideas can be explored with increasing complexity. It is not about copying and assembling adult-designed artefacts or filling in pre-drawn lines.

🔹 Grab some paper and a black pen or pencil. 📝✏️
🔹 You can use objects from around your house for your child to draw around. 🧸🍎
🔹 Then they can get creative and fill the space using the black pen. 🎨🖌️

Share your creations with us and let’s celebrate the magic of imagination! 🌈💫
📸 Don’t forget to tag your photos with and drop a comment on our posts to show us your wonderful black line drawings!

Day 24 of : Paper Folding 📜🛩️

Under the guise of “Paw Patrol planes,” our tamariki folded their very own paper planes today. What an experience it was practicing our focus, perseverance and turn-taking skills alongside a kaiako guiding them each step of the way. There was lots of korero about the shapes these coloured paper transformed into: house, mail and even birds kissing 🤭

Tino pai our creative, imaginative ākonga! Why not try this cool mahi at home too?

Method:
1. With some coloured A4 paper in a vertical orientation, fold the two top corners down into a “like-a-house” shape. 🏠
2. Pull down the top of the house. Then smooth the top edges, “like mail.” ✉️
3. Fold the two top corners down again, at an angle so the corners touch “like a kissing bird.” 🐦
4. Pull up the triangle flap over these birds and push down the bottom of the triangle.
5. Fold this shape in half, ensuring each side is symmetrical. It should start to look like a two-dimensional jet.
6. Pull both wings down on each side, smoothing the edges well.
7. You did it! Test your paper plane outdoors.

“Froebel emphasised the mathematical nature of paper folding, prompting the understanding of geometrical as well as arithmetical concepts.”

Day 23 of : Clay

Clay is one of Froebel’s “occupations” available every day to support children’s play and self-activity. As a malleable material, clay naturally attracts children because it is open-ended and versatile—ideal for exploration. Its malleability allows children to shape it into whatever they imagine, fostering creativity through actions like squeezing, squashing, or twisting.

What makes clay special is that, while it’s easily shaped, it can also be left to dry or fired to create permanent objects. Having daily access to clay enables tamariki to engage with it in increasingly complex and imaginative ways. Plus, the cleanup process can be just as enjoyable as the creative experience!