Hut building extravaganza

As we once again go into Level 4 lockdown, we want to create opportunities for our kindergarten whanau to stay connected.  Thinking about what threads of interest were current in the kindergarten playground during the previous week, we invited children and families to take part in a 'hut building extravaganza' and opportunities to share their photos and stories with us.

Children are hardwired to be playful, creative and imaginative and hut building combines all of this into one!  The urge to create is strong and lately at kindergarten we have been experiencing a massive boom in the hut building industry. 

Nikau and Ben can often be found in elaborately made huts at kindergarten.  This creation,  under the table.

Huts, forts and cubbies...

“Forts have always been a part of childhood, says David Sobel… Sobel researched the developmental function forts play in children’s lives across cultures. They are universal, he says, driven by “biological genetic disposition” as children develop a “sense of self,” separate from parents… Metaphorically and physically, building forts reflects children’s growth as individuals, Sobel says; they create a “home away from home,” free from parental control. Forts also foster creativity. “A lot of magic happens inside,” he adds.” (Margolin, 2020)

Our Hut Building Extravaganza at home begins

Lauren starts the fun off in style...

The things we do aye Lauren...looking extra cool!

Ben is an experienced hut builder...you can tell by the structural integrity of his hut that this is not his first hut!

Annabelle and her hut made out of pillows.  Annabelle has been highly active in the hut building department at kindergarten so it's no surprise to see her embrace the challenge at home.  Annabelle's specialty is using props to decorate the floor to make it 'beautiful' she says.  Annabelle has become quite skilled at assessing her environment and turning ordinary objects into 'floor decorations'.

Tessa is no stranger to hut building and knows the art of using blankets to create cozy spaces.  Nice work Tessa!

Look at that, Tessa's siblings want to join in the fun...there's nothing quite like a good hut to snuggle down in and read a book.

Here is Bonnie having a great time in her hut.  Bonnie has discovered the age old secret of great hut building...using premade structures in the home and re-purposing them.  What was once a bunk bed is now a hut for playing in!

“Cubbies engage children on so many levels,” says Tim Gill, an international consultant on children’s play from the UK, and author of rethinkingchildhood.com. “They provide a great springboard for stories, role-play and social interaction, and they offer practical challenges, encouraging children to think about what they can do with the things around them. There are many obvious benefits to building cubbies, including being physically active, problem-solving and working with others. But the more profound benefits are to do with fostering children’s sense of themselves as people who are effective in their everyday actions, and whose actions make a difference. Educators call this ‘self-efficacy’, and it links with resilience, self-confidence and other crucial life skills and dispositions.” (Evans, 2020)

CJ and Cindy understand the concept of using anything for great hut building, as little brother Carter watches and learns.  Notice the strategically placed 'anchors' at each corner of the blanket...that's skill right there...

As it turns out Tania has not quite mastered this engineering feat.  

Confused, the dogs look on as the hut she made fell apart on entering.

Notice arm holding up roof...not ideal hut building capabilities!

Adjustments were needed and finally a master piece emerged.  

Behold, I give you Tania's hut...

Moving on...the classic couch hut!

Many Kiwi kids have mastered the art of turning couches into...well almost anything; whatever the imagination dreams up!

Nice James.

James enjoys snack time with his brothers in his comfy and cool couch hut 😊

A hut for everyone...Aria and her big brother Rylen.

Now where is Evie?  Playing in her hut of course...such fun to be had!

Huts are very inclusive and enjoyed by all ages and what special memories to cherish as a family.  Love it!

 Great to see happiness on the faces of families as they get to spend time together.  Finn, this Dad and the cat posing for photos and sharing a bit of a giggle.

Now it's Katie's turn...what a masterpiece!

Katie's got it sorted...the perfect space for a teddy bears picnic.  

What a treat!

Great hut Katie.

Under the protective branches of a tree, Olivia and her sisters have created a hut inspired by nature...just gorgeous!  And so healthy for the body, mind and spirit!

Nice Olivia, that looks like the perfect place to relax.

Filtered light streams through the tree canopy as Heidi and her big sisters get back to nature too...and that looks like some serious weaving on one side of their hut...ataahua!
 

Rowan and Ava add the sparkle of twinkle lights...and just like that bring in a bit of magic.

Irirangi chooses under the trampoline as the place to build his hut...clever idea...it's the perfect place for a game of Twister or a relaxing stretch on the couch with a good book!

Meanwhile Tai and Kora have moved in to their hut! 

Complete with dinosaur, blocks and the family dog.

Ngatiira's version of hut building

And shadow puppets!  Just another creative idea to further enjoy the humble hut!

Brilliant!

Complete with tunnel...next level Zoe!

Your hut looks like a whole lot of fun.

Literally laughing out loud...what a great photo Zoe!

And lets not forget that huts are even great at night! 

 Khan and his Dad show us the true magic of huts.  Wow!

What a truly fabulous Hut Building Extravaganza!

It has been so wonderful to share this experience with you all over the past couple of days.  It's amazing what can happen with simple materials and vast imaginations.   

Thanks for sharing what you've been up to with us, it's important we find ways to keep connected during such crazy times!  Just know that we are thinking of you, you are important to us!  Take care, enjoy this time with your children and make the most of fun times had learning through play.

Arohanui

The team at Bream Bay Kindergarten

Dirt - a little bit of what's good for you!

Connecting children with nature is important to us at Bream Bay Kindergarten...hands on, deeply engaging experiences where children and teachers revel in the joy of being immersed in nature together.

Under the protective shade of an old tree, dirt beckons...just enough water is added and the fun begins!

                   

   

           

10 reasons why we should let children play in mud...

1· Playing in mud is good for reconnecting children back to nature and developing an appreciation and love of nature.

"No one will protect what they don't care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced"

David Attenborough

2· Playing in mud is a whole body experience and develops small and large motor skills.

                        

3· Anyone can play in mud...it’s a very inclusive game.

4· Playing in mud is a hands on sensory experience that helps children develop their working theories of the world around them.

  

5· Playing in mud helps children develop positive dispositions such as sharing and playing co-operatively.

6· Mud is a wonderful art medium and children love to get creative.

7· Playing in mud develops creative thinking and sparks the imagination.

8· Playing in mud can make you healthier by building up the immune system.

9· Playing in mud is just good fun...lets face it, playing in mud makes you feel happy!  Regular doses of smiling, laughing and having fun is well recognized as having a positive impact on overall health and well being.

                     

10· Mud covers a wide range of curriculum areas such as science, language, social competency and physical education...so much to learn!

What does mud feel like?

The language of mud...

Slippery, slimy, gooey, wet, soggy, damp, moist, waterlogged, squelchy, clammy, cold, chilly, mucky, squishy, sticky, mushy, runny, gluey, gummy, thick, tacky, messy, smooth, velvety, bumpy, course, jagged, rough, soft, soggy, squashy squidgy, spongy, springy, pliable, pulpy, yielding, elastic, stretchy, soaking, dripping, saturated, drenched, glorious, wonderful, splendid, superb, magnificent, brilliant, superlative, marvellous mud!

 

Revisiting the experience...

"Playing in the deep hole, it was so deep and so muddy.  I was happy cause I love the mud" said Carter.

"You get dirty in the mud.  Sand and water makes mud" said Neo.

"The mud is dirty" said Emma.

"I sat in the mud and it was mucky" said Harvey.

"It was fun when we were covering our feet" said Bodhi.

"It was fun when we were squishing in the big hole.  We were stamping and stomping and jumping around" said Lockie.

"I was jumping in the mud" said Tahu.

The mud was cold" said Tangaroa.

"I made some mud with the water, a spoon and dirt.  You splash the water over the dirt and then you stop and then black" said Finn.

"My tee shirt got muddy lying down in the mud.  It was fun!" said Nikau.

New Zealand's early childhood curriculum Te Whariki states "Children learn through play: by doing, asking questions, interacting with others, devising theories about how things work and then trying them out and by making purposeful use of resources.  As they engage in exploration, they begin to develop attitudes and expectations that will continue to influence their learning throughout life" (Ministry of Education, 2017)

This mud play experience was so much fun and we had a blast learning and playing together!

Dirt - a little bit of what's good for you!

Arohanui

Tania