Each classroom within a Centre is different, with a rich variety of resources, opportunities, choices and values that reflect their community of learners, however there is an essence that does permeate throughout and that is the sense of curiosity, inquiry and awe.
We believe that every classroom has a sense of discovery, however an infant room has a special type of joy and boundless energy that is contagious for all who enter it. There is a certain magic in this space which comes from our youngest citizens innate motivation to explore, connect and make meaning of the world around them. They welcome the world with a curious lens and possess extraordinary creative processes in which they research, construct, and reconstruct knowledge about the many questions they continuously encounter.
Through the eyes of an infant we too see the world anew, leave aside certainty and embrace the possibility of “what if”.
As they explore everyday contexts there is a sense of wonder that encourages us, as kaiako, to also see and participate in this wonder. The encounters may seem quite ordinary but when we look deeply at what is taking place we find that the learning is profound and extraordinary beyond measure.
As teachers we feel quite liberated by this sense of freedom of discovery as it empowers our image of ourselves as co researchers who join children in constructing knowledge together. We share an understanding that teachers are not the holders of knowledge, we do not have all the answers, nor do we need to. Instead we skilfully guide children and facilitate them in the discovery of their own understandings.
Through the eyes of an infant we too see the world anew, leave aside certainty and embrace the possibility of “what if”.
“ The message ‘go slow and with great patience’ – is to slow down,
un-busy your mind, wait and wait longer, be present, watch with intent, check and recheck your clues…Only then can we be truly responsive and share meaningful experiences with our youngest and non-verbal children.” Williamson, 2013
As they are creating theories and testing ideas, we are rediscovering, and constructing new understandings of what we thought we already had clear knowledge of. Little fingers playing with a leaf, show us how to slow down and see that leaf as though for the first time. We notice the texture, colour and the way it curls slightly at the edge.
As we point out the rain and its movement through the sky and ripples on the ground, we are truly seeing the rain, as magical and beautiful, not just a form of weather.
‘Wait, watch and wonder’
A child’s excitement about the world and its wonders draws witnesses to see what they see and share in the wonder. In these moments we see how one becomes a group of learners who along with their unique desires to make their own discoveries are also driven to engage in and experience this with others.
Every day in an infant toddler room we see tamariki achieve amazing firsts. We see the development of skills, dispositions, strategies of learning and a sense of self identity that will influence their entire lives. The crawling and the first steps of a potential athlete, the first stroke of a brush for the future artist, first words of a lifelong confident communicator, empowerment of a citizen who knows they are capable to be a leader of positive change. We see the potential of an amazing future stretching forward from these small actions however the excitement is for the now, the joy from the tamariki and the kaiako.
We slow down and see every moment as the amazing precious encounter that it is, we celebrate every first, every second and every progression after that. We share in the joy and pride of the child as they grow and develop, as they discover who they are and find their place in the world. It is so beautiful to see the pride and happiness as a child achieves something they have been working on, so much more at this age as every new piece of knowledge is a monumental achievement.
Every infant room has shared joy; joy in being together, joy in sharing questions, challenges and problems, joy in connecting in a way that magnifies the wonder of making discoveries about the world. The magic of an infant is in the way they freely share their view of the world with us.
– Kris Halkett, Bear Park Patey St
If you’re interested in booking a tour to visit our infant/toddler room, we’d love to show you around. Head to Book a Tour to organise a booking.
