By following their children’s interest in birds and bugs, kaiako at Picton Kindergarten are helping children learn about conservation, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga.
“Many of our families this year are involved in enviro-groups, including the Kaipupu Point Wildlife Sanctuary, Picton Dawn Chorus, Conservation Kids and Department of Conservation,” Head Teacher Jo Huntley says. “Learning to care for the environment, the creatures in it and the connections between them, helps grow the children’s understanding of kaitiakitanga, which is a big part of our kindergarten philosophy.”
A trip to the Wildlife Sanctuary sparked the children’s interest in learning more about the Rowi kiwi they’d seen. This interest evolved into an exploration of insects and how to protect them, so native birds could have an adequate food source. The next step was setting up ‘bug motels’ in the kindy, followed by an exploration of birdhouses, and making their own little nests.
“It’s about establishing connections with the natural world and caring for it, not only for the animals’ wellbeing, but understanding how this affects our own wellbeing.,” says Jo. “It’s hard to explain wairua, but we discuss the feelings associated with hearing the kiwi at the sanctuary make its little noise, or seeing butterflies take flight for the first time,” Jo says.