We adopted our lop ear bunny babies about 8 years ago when our team first started working together as we thought this would be a great way for children to learn kindness and respect for living beings. Our tamariki have always been extremely engaged and involved in looking after our rabbits, bringing them food, giving them pats and respecting their space when they need it. This is especially good for settling and for welcoming children back after a long time away with COVID-19. So much learning has happened since they joined Beach Haven Kindergarten.

As our bunnies grew a little bit older we decided to give them more space and move them to the back of the kindergarten where we have lots of grass and an orchard, and children could still visit them while also allowing the bunnies to have a little peace and quiet. Over a long period of lockdown teachers kept feeding the bunnies but noticed they were really missing the visits from the children and felt that they needed a little more close attention, so it was time to move them back to the front, where they can live free range amongst our playground and garden.

We know that Rosie, the black bunny, is a bit scared and doesn’t usually like to be touched, but when Bubblegum, the white bunny, has had a good run around, she will lie down and we can very quietly move up to her and give her a pat.

When children first start kindergarten, they very quickly learn how to be kind, respectful and caring for our bunnies. They see how others have learnt to be around them, and they get a lot of enjoyment out of helping care for them. It is lovely to see how much tamariki love helping to care for our pets. Ka pai, everyone.

Some lovely feedback from our whānau –

“C was telling me all about Bubblegum and Rosie the other day, he loves the bunnies! ❤️”

“A lovely way for children to learn kindness.”

“V was so excited to pick some kale and spinach from the garden for Bubblegum and Rosie this morning, such a wonderful way to foster a sense of belonging and community.”