The tamariki at Howick Kindergarten thoroughly engaged in their learning journey with the Living Eggs programme, diving deep into the fascinating world of chickens. Excitement filled the air when ten eggs arrived at our doorstep in the incubator. After 2 days nine of these eggs had successfully hatched, bringing forth four delightful girl chicks and five lively boy chicks.

Throughout this immersive experience, our young learners delved into the intricacies of the chicken life cycle, mastering the art of identifying genders and discovering essential caregiving techniques. As the time came to name these newfound feathered friends, the tamariki overflowed with creative suggestions. Seeking to embrace diversity, our kaiako reached out to families, inviting them to contribute names from their respective cultural backgrounds. The result was a colourful array of name with unique cultural charm: Hiyoko (Japanese), Moa (Tongan), Pollo (Spanish), Heihei (Māori), Pintinho (Portuguese), Chook (Scottish), Look-ghai (Thai), Xiao ji (Mandarin) and Kip (Dutch).

The joyous journey continued as the children immersed themselves in a range of engaging activities centered around their adorable feathered companions. From crafting chicken-themed artwork and busting out their best chicken dance moves to documenting the chicks’ daily adventures in a specially curated diary, every moment was brimming with learning opportunities. They even brought the “Five little chicks went out one day” to life, adapting it from “Five little ducks” with their own imaginative twists.

As the chicks grew bigger and stronger, the children had an opportunity to hold them gently in their hands, marveling at the wonders of nature unfolding before their eyes. Through this hands-on experience, they not only cultivated a sense of responsibility but also learned the importance of care and compassion towards living creatures.

The learning journey with our feathered friends has been nothing short of extraordinary, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. As we continue to nurture these bonds, we are reminded of the profound impact that experiential learning can have on young minds, igniting a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery.