This week we have been learning about Matariki (the Maori New Year) and why we celebrate it. We have done lots of different activities like making stars, telling Maori stories, singing songs, making Maori bread and replanting the vegetable garden in preparation for a spring harvest. A number of Maori legends believe that the rising of Matariki was a time to make offerings to land-based gods who would provide good crops. So crops are planted to signify new beginnings. The first thing we had to go was prepare the garden. All the weeds and the old vegetables had to be taken out first. The children all really seemed to enjoy getting in there, getting their hands dirty and making sure it was all clear for our new plants to go in. While we were in there I told them why we were doing this and reminded them of the significance of what they were doing. After all the weeds were removed and the ground was cleared it was time to dig in the worm castings from our worm farm. The children watched Sarah get them out and then we sprinkled them over the garden. We then carefully turned the castings over (we had to be super careful as there were a lot of worms in their too). I told them that worms are really good for the garden and we had to be careful not to disturb them too much. It was great for the children to see the efforts of worm farming being put to use within another kindy activity. This helps to further develop and strengthen their curiosity and their learning by establishing links.

Helping Sarah get the castings from the worm farm and carefully digging them into the garden Once the garden had been prepared we left it over night for the ground and the worms to settle. Then today it was time to do the planting!! All the children rushed over to see what was happening when I turned up with a bag full of vegetable seedlings and they were incredibly eager to get in there and get planting!! We had to take turns digging holes and then putting the plants in and had to be super careful that we didn’t stand on the little seedlings we had just planted. All the children involved took such great care and showed some real responsibility when it came to this activity. They listened to instructions given and then followed them out. We ended up planting some broad beans, celery, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Once the plants are fully grown, the children can then enjoy the fruits of their labour by eating them at morning and afternoon tea. This activity has been a wonderful experience for the children as they have been able to see the links in a number of processes within a cycle at kindy. Firstly with the worm farm, then using the castings in the soil before planting, then the harvesting of the plants for eating and finally the vegetable scraps being feed to the worms.

Thank you all for helping me to do this garden. I hope your crops grow really well and when you do come to eat them you can remember the time we spent together doing this activity!! Written for you all by Emma – 13 th June