Nature
Poipoia te kākano kia puawai
Nurture the seed and it will grow
At Kanuka Corner nature is a part of us, we view ourselves as kaitiaki of our natural world. Our expansive garden offers tamariki opportunities to experience the beauty of nature through all of their senses.
Embracing the outdoors
Engaging with our tamariki through nature
From engaging in the rich colours and textures of our blossom trees and flowers; to climbing, digging and gross motor development with space for running and games.
On still, chilly days we head down to the forest to collect pine cones/firewood for our fire pit and snuggle up around our firepit to enjoy a good story or to perhaps cook our lunch in our dutch oven.
Our garden feeds us:
body and soul.
We love to learn about growing our own kai. We raise our own seeds, we care for our fruit and vegetable plants, nurturing them until it is time to harvest. We pick fresh produce like berries, tomatoes, beans, peas, broccoli, peaches and all manner of other fresh produce from our garden that we can enjoy later at kai times.
Our pets are part of our natural world and are also given nurture and care from our tamariki. Our children play an important role in the care of our feathered and furry Kanuka Whānau.
Hikoi Ngahere
Learning and education from the bush
Learning experiences within the ngahere (bush) provide opportunities to strengthen connections tamariki have with nature and their local community.
Experiences include learning about native habitats and wildlife, flora and fauna, as well as creating a sense of understanding about the world. We encourage ngahere education to foster dispositional learning, such as curiosity, imagination and wonder, as well as promoting their health, physical development and well-being in the outdoors.
We also celebrate the spiritual connections tamariki have with the earth through a te āo māori perspective for example, by acknowledging Tāne Mahuta and Papatūānuku during these experiences.
‘No barefooted, tree climbing, mud pie baking, cloud spotting, puddle stomping, bird calling, wild foraging, star gazing, firefly chasing, den building, stream paddling, rock hunting moment with Mother Nature is ever wasted.’
– Nicolette Sowder