Play at Puketapu School
11 April 2023
On Thursday 6 April, the four magic play boxes were opened and introduced to the students of Puketapu School. The school was divided into two groups, and two play sessions ran across the course of the morning, facilitated by Longworth Education facilitators, Sarah Aiono, Linda Cheer and Jill Skjottrup; Junky Monkey's expert (and Longworth facilitator) Kate Webber; and supported by Pia Bradshaw from Hawkes' Bay's LooseEnz and Te Waka Tākaro from the HDC. Before the play sessions began, the children were already exploring the loose parts and making plans for their creations. The joy and excitement was clearly evident!! Over the next two sessions of an hour and a half each, children were observed creating go-karts, enclosures, swings, marble runs, pirate ships, restaurants (including wood-fired pizza) and so much more. Learning observed included task initiation, organisation, planning, negotiation, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, collaboration and problem-solving. The laws of physics were regularly tested, design modifications occurred on multiple levels and mathematical estimation was clearly evident. Finally, the talking that occurred was non-stop!!
Happy kids, an abundance of learning and a moment for children to put aside the trauma of the term for some unadulterated fun and laughter at school.
