Welcome to Laugh, Learn, Play — your go-to spot for all things fun, educational, and exciting at Building Blocks. We celebrate the joy of childhood with tips, activities, and stories that inspire and delight. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or just love the magic of childhood, explore the latest adventures in our world of childcare!
Music and movement stimulate the part of the brain that learns and is not reliant on having already learnt language. At all ages and stages of development, music can be enjoyed and responded to. But the real magic and connections in the brain spark IMMENSELY when children are engaged with another human being.
Let’s celebrate this incredible language, and through it, the rich cultural heritage that shapes the future of our tamariki and our country. Included are hints for pronunciation and simple phrases for everyday situations from Te Wiki o te Māori 2024 resources. Through everyday use we help ensure that te reo Māori is not just spoken during Te Wiki but lives on throughout the year, in the hearts and minds of our tamariki, ake ake ake — forever and ever.
Viewing the remnants of play as 'play residue' transforms it into a window of the imaginative worlds children have created, the curiosities they've explored, and the processes they've engaged in. This 'play residue' represents the learning that occurred naturally through play, which isn’t something that can be directly taught.
Often, it is our children who become our greatest teachers in the practice of mindfulness. One of the most profound ways children naturally practice mindfulness is through sensory play. This form of play, which involves engaging with the world through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, provides more than just entertainment—it fosters deep, meaningful learning experiences.