Makarewa Playcentre Friday 31 August 2018
In the morning we had the Makarewa Playcentre visit as part of their learning around nature (plants, bugs and worms) and conservation. At the worm farm the tamariki were either mesmerised or grossed out by the worms in the worm farm! We talked about how the worms in this bath ate all the food waste and made compost and worm juice which is great for growing vegetables and other plants. In the education centre we had some kai, explored the tunnel and then potted up some baby NZ native plants – kohuhu and cabbage trees. We noticed their roots and the leaves (or shoots) and talked about how to cover the roots with dirt and that plants needed water to grow. Chris noticed some kereru in the kowhai tree nearby so we set off for a walk, stopping to notice these treasures of the forest. The tamariki were fascinated by these huge birds as they ate the new shoots on the kowhai trees. We continued on around the pond noticing the leaves on the trees, feeling the prickly totara and smooth broadleaf leaves. Further exploration of the tunnel and opening the doors to find what lives in our environment and completing the big floor puzzles of the spider and red admiral butterfly, some bug hunting and identification, and listening to the “No Mr Possum” song completed the visit to the nursery.
Bronwyn and Chris
Posted: 5 September 2018