Tiny Trailblazers Explore the Science of Motion

When our observant teachers at Loch Ness noticed the unyielding fascination of our youngest children with emergency vehicles like police cars, fire engines, and ambulances, they knew there was more than meets the eye. Curiosity led our budding young minds to engage in their own captivating experiments with movement, from crashing toy cars into objects to rolling engines down planks into the sandpit.

Recognising the potential for exploration, our teachers transformed these playful encounters into a fundamental understanding of the scientific concept of motion. Under their guidance, our young explorers embarked on a journey of discovering motion. With great anticipation and a chorus of “1, 2, 3, go!” they rolled various objects down wooden planks, eagerly predicting the outcomes.

Their exploration delved into other aspects of motion, tapping ping pong balls along narrow bamboo chutes, where each turn became an opportunity to predict and control speed. Furrowed brows of concentration could be seen on the children’s faces as they carefully directed their ball’s path, vying to become the fastest.

Armed with newfound knowledge, they took charge of their own experiments. Foam mats became their canvases, where imaginative games allowed these young visionaries to test their emerging theories. It all began with a courageous child standing a mat upright and diving forward with a resounding crash! Inspired by this bold act, the group embarked on a quest to create a balance mat, taking turns crashing down with exhilaration. What a thrilling and unconventional path to cultivating scientific knowledge and understanding.

Aligned with the Te Whāriki approach, our exploration of motion embraced the aspiration to foster confident and physically resilient children. Recognising that learning and development are intertwined with both the body and the brain, we laid the groundwork for cognitive (hinengaro), physical (tinana), emotional (whatumanawa), and spiritual (wairua) learning.

Through their innate curiosity and our teachers’ guidance, our youngest children at Loch Ness embarked on a captivating journey of discovery, exploring different aspects of motion. At the ripe age of three, our children are learning scientific researchers’ basic exploration and question-asking skills, setting the stage for a future of endless possibilities.