Pendulum Painting!

 

Trace it, build it, colour it!

 

Shape Fractions!

 

Shape Hunt at Kindy!

 

Standing Tall

 

Roll it, find it, count it!

 

Exploring Symmetry in our Environment - Ō Wairoa Marae

This week, we extended our learning beyond the kindy environment by taking our tamariki on a hikoi to our local marae, Ō Wairoa Marae, which is located alongside our kindy. The purpose of our hikoi was to encourage tamariki to notice and explore shapes within our natural and built environment, with a particular focus on the concept of symmetry. As we walked, tamariki were encouraged to stop, look closely and share what they noticed. They explored the shapes and patterns found in leaves, flowers, gates and other features of our environment. The most significant point of interest was the whare whakairo/kowhaiwhai patterns at the entrance of the marae. Tamariki were fascinated by the repeated shapes, lines and patterns and began making connections between what they were seeing and the artwork and pattern-making experiences we had explored throughout the week. It was wonderful to see tamariki drawing on their previous experiences and developing their own working theories about symmetry. They used familiar experiences to explain this new mathematical concept in ways that made sense to them. Hailey and Myra explained: “If you cut it down the middle it will be the same.” Ruby and Elsie connected the idea to our butterfly painting experience: “It’s like when we do butterfly paintings and fold the paper. It needs a line in the middle.” These comments demonstrated tamariki beginning to understand that symmetry involves two parts that are the same or mirror each other across a central line. Oliver noticed that a kawakawa leaf looked like a heart and recognised that if it were folded, the two sides would match. Some tamariki took this thinking further by sitting on the ground and physically folding leaves to test and demonstrate their ideas. What learning was taking place? This experience provided rich opportunities for tamariki to develop mathematical thinking through a meaningful, hands-on context. Rather than introducing symmetry as an abstract concept, tamariki were able to see, touch, compare, fold, test and explain their ideas using things from their own environment.

 • Developing an understanding of shape, pattern, position and symmetry. 

• Making connections between mathematical concepts and the natural and cultural environment. 

• Developing and communicating their own working theories. Using observation, comparison and problem-solving to test their ideas. 

• Building on previous experiences with pattern-making and art. 

• Sharing their thinking with others and listening to different perspectives. 

• Developing an appreciation for the visual patterns and designs within the marae environment looking through a bi cultural lense. 

The hikoi also created opportunities for tamariki to experience learning within a place of significance in our local community. Visiting Ō Wairoa Marae supported a sense of belonging and connection to place, while encouraging tamariki to look closely at and engage respectfully with the environment around them. This experience reminded us that mathematics is all around us. When we slow down and give tamariki the opportunity to notice, wonder and explain, everyday environments become rich places for learning.

Mathematical learning through construction

Construction play is a wonderful way for children to explore early mathematics. As they build houses, castles, towers and fairy houses, children investigate shape, size, height, space, quantity, balance and stability. Along the way, children count blocks, compare the size and height of their creations, recognise shapes and patterns, and use spatial language such as on top, underneath, beside, inside and between. Through trial and error, they problem-solve, adapt their ideas and discover different ways to make their structures work.  These experiences help children develop mathematical language, spatial awareness, reasoning and problem-solving skills, while experiencing maths as something meaningful, creative and fun.

 

Rain gauge

With all the recent rainy weather, we decided to turn the rain into a fun mathematical investigation! The tamariki set up a rain gauge and quickly discovered some problem-solving was needed when the wind kept blowing it over. Together, we decided to secure it to a tree. Each day, the children eagerly checked how much rain had fallen, read the numbers and measurement markings, and recorded their findings on a chart. At the end of the week, we compared our results. Which day had the most rain? Which had the least? What was the difference between the highest and lowest amounts? Through this  experience, the children explored measurement, number recognition, data collection, problem-solving and mathematical language in a meaningful way.

Fathers Day 2026!

 What a great morning celebrating Father’s Day!

It was wonderful to welcome our Dads, Grandads and special people into Kindy for a fun morning together. We started with a delicious breakfast of bacon butties, hash browns, apple muffins, waffles and yoghurt cups — yum!

After breakfast, the tamariki loved showing their special people around Kindy, sharing their favourite activities and spending some quality time playing together. There were lots of smiles, laughs and proud little faces throughout the morning!

The children also created a special Father’s Day gift to take home — a handmade card and some BBQ spice made especially for someone important to them.

Happy Father’s Day to all our wonderful Dads, Grandads and special people! 💙