Voices of Inquiry
Inquiry-based learning is part of Marshwood’s daily programme, tailored for children who are developmentally ready and those transitioning to primary school, and aligns with Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s Early Childhood Curriculum.
Through hands-on exploration, children are encouraged to ask questions, follow their interests, and discover new concepts. These experiences foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning, equipping each child with the confidence and skills needed for the journey ahead.
Here’s a glimpse into some of our captivating activities!
Regular Excursion
Our regular outings are a key part of place-based learning, connecting children to the natural world and their wider community. Along the way, they notice trees, flowers, house numbers, and car plates, building observation skills and sparking meaningful conversations. These experiences foster a strong sense of belonging and turn everyday moments into valuable learning opportunities.
Discovering Our Natural World
Opportunities to explore the natural world encourage children to wonder about the space, earth, sky, and everything in between. Through hands-on, inquiry-led experiences, they discover planets, mountains, native flora and fauna, weather, and their surroundings. In our lush backyard, children observe seasonal changes, learn about deciduous and evergreen trees, and explore the four seasons, developing an appreciation for how plants and the environment change. These experiences spark curiosity, foster a caring connection with nature, and support well-being, belonging, and growing confidence as learners.
Science Through Exploration
Children explore science through meaningful experiences that nurture curiosity and discovery. They investigate concepts like floating and sinking, magnetic and non-magnetic materials, solids, liquids, gases, and cause and effect using simple experiments and electrical kits. Children also wonder about how things work, from everyday materials to space, strengthening their connection with the world. Through experimenting and testing ideas, they build problem-solving skills, critical thinking, confidence, and a genuine enjoyment of learning.
Cultural Exploration
Children explore and participate in a variety of diverse cultural celebrations including Te reo Māori and tikanga, learning about traditions, stories, and ways of life from around the world. These experiences encourage respect, empathy, and an understanding of different perspectives. By learning to appreciate diversity, children develop social awareness, kindness, and a sense of responsibility for their community and the wider world. Through these guided explorations, they cultivate harmony, inclusion, and a lifelong commitment to respecting and valuing others.
Animals
Children are fascinated by the living world in our very own lush natural backyard and beyond. They watch tūī and fantails as they visit the trees and bird feeders, noticing how they move, feed, and interact with one another. Building a bug hotel invites close observation of insects and other small creatures and supports understanding of habitats and living environments. Caring for our pet axolotl, 'Walkie', and observing chicks hatch and grow nurtures empathy, compassion, and responsibility, while helping children develop an early understanding of life cycles and respect for all living things. Their interest in dinosaurs opens up conversations about animals from long ago, encouraging children to think about change, time, and the natural world’s history.
Occupations & Community Roles
We nurture children’s interests and ambitions by exploring different occupations and community helpers of their interest. Through these experiences, children discover the roles people play in their community, develop curiosity, and build confidence while imagining the possibilities for their own future.
