Atawhai Kids Preschool Nelson

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)

There’s something really special about growing our own fruit at preschool.

Our tamariki are learning where food comes from by caring for our fig, mandarin, feijoa, plum, and peach trees. From picking fresh fruit to using it in our baking, these hands-on experiences help build independence, curiosity, and a real connection to the natural world.

It’s more than just gardening — it’s learning, sharing, and enjoying the rewards together 💚 🌍🌳

Today our tamariki explored line making as part of their early writing journey ✏️ through play.

Through simple mark-making — lines, curves, and zig-zags — they are building the foundations for writing in a fun and meaningful way.

Line making helps strengthen fine motor skills, supports hand–eye coordination, and develops the control needed for forming letters. It also encourages focus, creativity, and confidence as children begin to make sense of their marks.

He iti te mokoroa, nāna i kakati te kahikatea (Even the smallest effort can achieve great things).

Fun fact.
If you make gloop (cornflour and water) and leave it to dry over night, it will harden and make a different sensory activity. Later you can add water to turn it back into a gloop activity

The tamariki have been deeply engaged in making connections between our preschool environment and the world around us 🌿

With the diggers and loaders busy doing land works on the hill nearby, their curiosity has been sparked! We brought that real-life learning into our space, creating our own small construction site with sand, rocks and trucks. The conversations, problem-solving and imaginative play have been incredible to see.

It’s amazing how learning happens when we slow down and notice what’s happening in our taiao (environment). These moments help strengthen our understanding of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and care for the land).

Real world experiences, hands-on exploration, and lots of teamwork. Ka mau te wehi (awesome work), tamariki! 🚜

Exploring textures

Check out our fundraising raffle! We are raising funds to purchase a set of preschool hats. Lots of awesome prizes generously donated by our preschool whanau! Ask a kaiako if you need help with your ticket purchase.

What may seem to be simple usually has alot of hidden learning 🌻

Over the past week the Piwakawaka tamariki have been exploring a mixture of messy play, and imaginary cooking in their lovely outside environment. Using a mixture of resources from slime, flowers and utensils, this has been a highlight this week as tamariki continue to explore and create ✨️