This week has been a vibrant and enriching one for our tamariki as we continued to weave together the threads of our learning through play and our exploration of Te Ao Māori. A key focus this week was introducing and unpacking the Learner Profile Attribute of Caring.

We embarked on a thoughtful journey, beginning with open discussions about what it truly means to be caring. The tamariki shared their insightful perspectives, offering heartfelt examples of how we can show kindness, empathy, and support to one another within our Whānau Harakeke and across the wider kura (school).

To further deepen their understanding, we delved into the pages of "How Do I Feel?" by Rebekah Lipp and Craig Phillips. This wonderful resource provided a gentle and relatable framework for exploring different emotions and how caring actions can positively impact those around us. The tamariki connected deeply with the scenarios presented, sharing personal experiences and identifying ways they could be more caring in various situations.

Our Te Reo Māori journey continued with the captivating legend of "How Maui Fished Up the North Island." The tamariki were enthralled by the tale of Maui's strength and ingenuity. This week, our discussions took an interesting turn as the children keenly observed the interactions between Maui and his brothers. They astutely pointed out instances where Maui's brothers could have shown more manaakitanga (care and hospitality) and offered more positive encouragement. This provided a wonderful opportunity to reinforce the importance of caring relationships and the impact of our words and actions on others, even within a legendary context!

Following our rich discussions and storytelling, the energy shifted to the joy and creativity of play-based learning. This week, our tamariki engaged in two exciting activities:

• Designing Waka Paddles: Inspired by the story of Maui and his waka, the children enthusiastically set about designing and decorating their own waka paddles. This collaborative project will contribute to a beautiful Whānau display, showcasing their artistic talents and their connection to the Māori legend. It was wonderful to see them sharing ideas, helping each other, and working together to create something special.

• Exploring with Paint and Construction: The tamariki also immersed themselves in the sensory experiences of painting and the imaginative possibilities of construction play. These activities provided ample opportunities for them to interact with their friends, share resources, negotiate ideas, and build both physical structures and social connections. We observed many instances of caring behaviour as they helped each other, shared materials, and celebrated each other's creations.

Through these diverse learning experiences, our tamariki are not only developing their understanding of the learner profile attribute of caring but also strengthening their Te Reo Māori vocabulary, fostering their creativity, and building positive relationships through play.

We are so proud of the thoughtful and caring individuals our tamariki are becoming. We look forward to another week of exploration, discovery, and growth within our Whānau Harakeke.