Learning through Play

What is it? What do we believe?

The term 'Play' is used to describe thenatural human instinct to explore; takerisks; manipulate; follow an urge, passionor interest; to problem solve,; buildresilience and relationships; to makemistakes and to encouragecommunication with others. Play is a child's natural way of practisingobserved skills or activities; imaginingoutcomes or events, improving andrefining developmental skills,  anddeveloping competencies for life.

What about ReadingWriting and Maths?

At Taumata School we believe that ourtamariki learn best through play, and italigns with our value for experientiallearning opportunities. Play providesauthentic opportunities to explore theworld, encourages creativity,communication and innovation and buildsour learning principle of grit. Learning through play is different to 'freeplay'. It involves noticing and providingopportunities for students to exploretheir urges through provocations. Thelearning coach then uses their indepthknowledge of the curriculum to delvedeeper into what learning is taking place.

Whilst we value the role of play in learning we

also recognise the need to develop foundation

skills in Literacy and Numeracy.

Whilst students are engaged in play, learning

coaches will provide explicit workshops to

support Reading, Writing and Maths.