Customising existing content - example

Here's a piece you can easily adapt to suit your kindergarten's unique attributes, the local community, and the needs of particular publications.

For more about how this story came about, check out this story about using exisiting content for local publications, and this one about the Maniototo team's experience.

Keeping tamariki busy over the cooler months

With Winter fast approaching, it can be challenging to keep tamariki engaged and entertained.

The cooler weather isn’t always conducive with outdoor activities, and Maniototo’s legendary hard frosts can make things slippery and wet.

That doesn’t stop us going out and about at kindergarten, though. Getting tamariki outside and into nature and the community is so important: it helps spark curiosity and a sense of connection with the world around them, helps strengthen their sense of belonging, and provides the physical activity so necessary to keeping young minds and bodies healthy.

At kindergarten, the focus is on learning through play. We believe that if tamariki are gently guided to follow their own interests, the learning comes naturally. Kidsfirst’s Big Backyards allow many opportunities to play and engage with other tamariki, no matter the season.

In Central Otago, the changeable weather is just part of everyday life, and the variation in conditions that each season brings, offers important learning and development opportunities for tamariki.

As well as the more obvious ones, there are more subtle gains to be made - for example, tamariki learn to be resilient in the face of change, and grow self sufficiency through experience - for example, when a blustery cold breeze reminds them it’s time to add another layer.

Ready to get outside and get into it? Life with young tamariki can be challenging and getting out the door isn’t always easy, but here are a few tips and tricks from our teaching team:

1. Don’t wait until it’s sunny to go on a walk

Often a first-hand experience of cold weather or a shift in temperatures can make all the difference in a child’s understanding of the world around them. Allowing them to experience this also leaves room for them to observe the changes themselves, without explicitly explaining it to them.

2. Let the messy play begin!

At Kidsfirst, we integrate messy play into every day – and often that’s where the most significant learning can happen. Winter brings a number of changes to the way we play, but doesn’t hold us back. There’ll often need to be a fresh set of clothes somewhere during the day, but it’s worth it!

3. Follow their lead:

Tamariki are natural born learners who learn best through their own interests, at their own pace. There are so many opportunities for learning every day - through play, by going out on walks, or even just exploring your own garden. Move forward from that point.

4. Remember their resilience

We’ve all been in situations where whānau are huddled inside for warmth while tamariki are racing around in a tee-shirt in single-digit weather. Children have a remarkable ability to get lost in whatever they’re doing and not be so sensitive to changing temperatures, and they’re masters at warming themselves up from the inside out. Even if it’s too cold for you out there, an extra layer and a bit of movement might be all your child needs.

Want to know more? Check out the Whānau Connect section of our website - https://www.kidsfirst.co.nz/getting-children-to-play-outside-__I.115100__N.112780

Deb McNally is Head Teacher at Kidsfirst Maniototo, a not-for-profit kindergarten that offers 20 hours free each week, even for two year olds. The kindergarten's three trained, registered teachers (Deb, Theresa Souness and Debbie Dowling)have taught together at the kindergarten for over six years, providing a great deal of stability and continuity to the Maniototo community. We welcome visitors to come and check out our warm and modern learning environment any time. There are spaces available now, but filling fast.