Popular play in the sandpit

Yesterday after lunch, the sandpit was very popular! It's a nice shady area to chill out, and to play with and explore different things. Kian, Donnagh and Jorja were busy making a river. They used spades, shovels and buckets to dig and transport sand. They kept digging until there was a big long hole in the sandpit. Our new friend Mana was holding on to the hose, providing the river sculptors with water. Ashton was sitting close by, enjoying being bare foot, wriggling his toes in the sand. He was intrigued by the water as well, and loved dipping his hands under the running hose and into the small bucket full of water. He even put three hats in the puddle of water, over the space of 5 mins.

Lyrique came along half way through, and took a real interest in helping to construct the river and transport sand around the sand pit.

Tarquin helped a little bit with the river at the beginning, but then continued on a treasure hunt. He was interested in what he could find up on top of the wooden boxes. He moved bits and pieces to get to places he needed to look.

Caelyn, Emily, Libby and Isabella spend lots of time on the swing that was set up in the sandpit. They each look turns at sitting on the seat, while their friends spun them round and round. I really liked the way the girls were talking to one another, voicing their opinions and making a real effort to take turns.

Acacia loved being in barefoot, and walking through the ankle deep water. She had a spade in her hands and a big grin on her face. She continued to extend on the river, even through the water flow slowed down a bit!

Kian enjoyed stomping through the the river in bare feet, pretending he was a bear! He held his hands out and said "raaaahhhhh", like a big scary bear! Kian was doing a great job at keeping an eye on his little brother, and reminding everyone that Ashton is HIS little brother.

Children learn strategies for active exploration, thinking and reasoning - control over bodies, exploring with senses, use of tools and equipment, confidence with moving in space and playing near others (Exploration, Te Whaariki).

"Children develop a perception of themselves as 'explorers' - competent, confident learners who ask questions and make discoveries" (Te Whaariki).

The sandpit was a lovely relaxing place to be after lunch on this warm sunny day, and it was so nice to observe, watch and be engaged in a range of different play mediums.

Ainslee