A strong sense of belonging is at the heart of a happy, confident learner.
Children thrive when they feel connected, not just to their immediate environment, but also to their whānau, peers, and the wider world around them. One of the ways we foster these connections at The Vines Early Learning Centre is by recognising and extending the links between children’s home lives and their experiences at The Vines.
Recently, we had a wonderful opportunity to do just that while celebrating Valentine’s Day. Many of our tamariki had already seen people buying flowers. So, using our outdoor playhouse, our kaiako created a delightful flower and coffee shop. It quickly became a lively hub of social interaction.
Whether they were serving up imaginary coffee or carefully choosing just the right flower to “buy,” our tamariki learned with and alongside each other and had a great time while doing it.
A Sense of Belonging Through Play at The Vines ELC
Taking turns being the florist, the customer, or the coffee barista, the children merrily sold flowers, pretend food, and other treasures through the windows to their friends, often adding their own creative twists to the game.
This type of play is more than just fun. It’s all about connecting through play, which is important for developing a sense of self.
Sorting out the pretend money and purchasing flowers or items from the menu offered the children a fun and meaningful way to practise decision-making and use language in new ways.
They could take turns being the “shopkeeper” or “customer,” and share ideas. Our kaiako encouraged the kids to initiate conversations, offer help, and solve problems together.
These are all valuable skills that help build strong relationships and confidence in social settings.
The children enjoyed creating worlds that reflected what they observed in their own families and communities.
By connecting through play, links with the family and the wider world are affirmed and extended. Children develop a deeper sense of connection and purpose.
As our young ones play, they learn to see their role as global citizens
It was a joy to watch the children collaborate and support one another during these activities. Their sense of belonging continues to grow as they explore, create, and connect with others.
We feel privileged to be part of that journey.