Atawhai Kids Preschool Nelson

We are learning and supporting NZSL sign for change!

Exploring wai (water) through pouring and measuring has been a big focus in our learning this week 💧
As tamariki (children) scoop, tip, and fill, they are naturally developing early maths skills — learning about volume, quantity, and cause and effect in a fun, hands-on way. This kind of play-based learning helps build strong foundations for mathematical thinking without it feeling like “work”.

Alongside this, tamariki are strengthening their hand-eye coordination as they carefully control their movements, watching how the wai flows and adjusting as they go. These small actions support the development of fine motor skills, which are important for later writing and everyday tasks.

Our tamariki have been embracing the joy of playing in the rain ☔🌧️
Rainy day play offers rich learning opportunities as tamariki (children) splash, run, and explore the outdoors. These experiences support gross motor development, balance, and coordination as they move across wet and changing surfaces.
Playing in the rain also engages the senses, helping tamariki connect with the natural world through touch, sound, and movement. It encourages resilience, curiosity, and confidence as they learn to navigate new and sometimes unpredictable environments.

He taiao tō tātou akomanga (the environment is our classroom)

Our tamariki have been deeply engaged in sandpit play, exploring, digging, building, and creating together 🏖️
Through this hands-on experience, tamariki (children) are developing early science understanding as they investigate concepts like cause and effect, gravity, volume, and material properties. As they pour, pat, and shape the sand, they are making predictions, testing ideas, and discovering how different amounts of water change texture and stability.
Sandpit play also encourages curiosity and problem solving, as tamariki experiment with building structures, watching them collapse, and trying new ways to make them stronger. These experiences support scientific thinking such as observation, experimentation, and reasoning in a natural and meaningful way.

Mā te tākaro ka tipu ai te mātauranga (through play, knowledge grows)

Our tamariki have been exploring creativity and fine motor skills through stamp making 🎨🖐️
As they press, lift, and repeat patterns, tamariki (children) are strengthening the small muscles in their hands and fingers. These movements are an important foundation for early writing skills, helping develop control, coordination, and confidence when using tools like pencils and pens.
Stamp making also encourages creativity and pattern recognition as tamariki experiment with designs, shapes, and repetition while expressing their ideas in unique ways.
Mā te toi ka tipu ai te mātauranga (through creativity, knowledge grows)

Tamariki have been diving into sensory play through potion making 🧪✨
Using a range of natural and open-ended materials, tamariki (children) have been mixing, pouring, stirring, and experimenting to create their own “potions.” This kind of play supports rich sensory exploration as they engage with different textures, smells, and colours.
Potion making also encourages early science thinking as tamariki make predictions, test ideas, and observe how different ingredients combine and change. They are developing curiosity, problem solving, and creative thinking as they explore what happens when things are mixed together.

Mā te rongo ka tipu ai te mātauranga (through the senses, knowledge grows)

Slippery, squishy, and full of fun — slime play has been a big hit 🟢✨

As tamariki (children) squeeze and explore, they are discovering how this unique material moves, slips, and changes shape under pressure. These hands-on experiences support early science learning as tamariki investigate texture, movement, and how materials respond to their actions.
Moments like this encourage curiosity and experimentation, giving tamariki the freedom to test ideas and build confidence in their discoveries.

He pākiki te tīmatanga o te mātauranga (curiosity is the beginning of knowledge)