Through the active exploration of the environment all children/tamariki are provided with the opportunity to explore, make discoveries, challenge themselves, solve problems, ask questions, revisit prior learning and to follow their own interests.

The children in Manaaki are involved in exploration every day:

- what can we do with a box of wooden sticks?

- who wants to be a doctor?

- which animals live in the wild?

-how do I write my name?

- what happens if....?

Through their ongoing exploration the children are also developing and fostering relationships with each other.  Through these relationships they are learning to:

*share

*take turns

*listen to others

*cooperate

*work together

*understand ways to solve conflict and share similar interests

Our group planning has supported the building of these relationships by providing resources and experiences that encourage playing with and alongside others.  Visitors to Manaaki have also supported the children in contributing to group situations - listening to others, asking questions, waiting for a turn, sharing own knowledge and understanding and recognising that their participation is valued.

Thank you so much to Dr Samantha Keeling of Habitat Chiropractic, Kaiapoi.  Dr Sam came to educate our tamariki on how our different body parts work holistically.