Learning Activities – Outside the Box Ideas

Sun Protection Activities On Being Safe in the Sun (songs, art and craft, science, drama etc). Lots of easy to implement ideas for teaching and

Getting a pet lamb for children – how, fostering agreements, what you need, day-to-care care, hygiene, training, and regulations. Some lambs are sadly orphaned at birth or there may be another reason why a farmer may decide the lamb would […]

Heuristic Play. In the modern world where many toys are made of shiny coloured plastic and have buttons to press with flashing lights and noises, it is often easy to forget that simple things can interest and stimulate young children.  […]

Zoo Trip With Children.   Everybody loves a cuddly furry animal, so the zoo is a great destination for a day trip for adults and children. Here are some ideas to make the most of a zoo safari. The zoo […]

Making Pet Rocks. This is a fun activity for ages 2 – 102 – so its highly suitable to involve parents and grandparents in doing too alongside their children. This can be done inside or at an outside table. , […]

Extending play in the sandpit and ways of turning the sandpit into an amazing social hub for learning. Below are practical tips and guidance for teachers and parents on  variations to basic sandpit play equipment and changes you can introduce […]

Taking Children to an Art Gallery. Don’t assume that art galleries are too high-brow for young children. They may not be able to tell you the name of the artist but they will still appreciate the work. Early childhood education […]

Taking children for a trip to the beach can offer opportunities for all kinds of learning – from discovering creatures to practising building skills. Just check first that you have prepared safety plan for the excursion, including sun protection, and […]

Making Volcanoes with Children. Children find volcanoes intriguing.  Here are some key facts and simple information to share with children about volcanoes and geysers, along with a ‘recipe’ for making your very own fun miniature demonstration volcano. Introducing knowledge and […]

Baking and Slow Cooking with Children. As a responsible teacher, carer or parent you role model and pass on good nutritional dietary habits… don’t you?  Well…, in front of the children anyway!  But does this mean leaving a wonderful learning […]

Multi-Cultural Activities. Most early childhood education services include bi-cultural elements in their teaching and learning, but with New Zealand becoming an increasingly multicultural country it can be interesting for children to learn about other cultures as well, particularly if there […]

Farm Visit with Children. While the animals may not be as exotic as the ones you find in a zoo, going to a farm can still be a great day out. It can be especially good for smaller children as […]

Library Trip with Children. Going to the library is a great activity to do either on your own with a child or small group of children, or as a group visit with your early childhood service. Maybe you will walk […]

Winter and Rainy Day Children’s Activities. When the children are getting restless and the noise levels are going up and up and you are thinking about how to get through the day, it’s time to bring in some new ideas […]

Plane Spotting at the ECE Service. Going plane spotting is easy. You can do this now without leaving home or your early childhood service. There are thousands of learning possibilities… Technology – tracking planes, use of real timeGeography – different […]

The Type of Books Young Children Like Best. Books are an integral part of a child’s education but getting them to sit down and look at books can be difficult when there are so many other things competing for a […]

Colouring-in Books in ECE. Back in the 80s and 90s the use of colouring-in books was hotly debated amongst early childhood professionals and a consensus developed that drawing templates and colouring-in books were bad for children. But today, colouring-in books […]

Learning languages in early childhood education is important – whether it is connecting with parts of our own kiwi culture or embracing other languages. With families coming to New Zealand from all over the world it is also important to […]

Rhythm Ribbons and Physical Movement. By Bronwyn Norman. Bursting out in the beautiful sunny Autumn/Ngahuru afternoon our tamariki were ready to embrace their environment and interact with each other by choosing materials and playing games. Fuelled by eating a healthy […]