Exploring Native Animal Homes

Curriculum Details

Curriculum Area: Social Sciences
Level: Te Whāriki – Early Childhood Education (Belonging | Mana Whenua)

Learning Outcome

By the end of the session, preschool students will begin to understand that native New Zealand animals, such as the kiwi, tuatara, and kererū, have special habitats where they live and thrive.

Resources Needed

• Plush toy representations of native animals (e.g., kiwi, tuatara, kererū)
• A floor mat or large pictures depicting different habitats (e.g., forest, wetland, coastal areas)
• Sound recordings of New Zealand wildlife (optional)
• Soft fabric leaves, sand, and small branches for sensory engagement

Lesson Structure (10 Minutes)

1. Welcome & Settling In (1 Minute)

Greet the children warmly and gather them on the floor mat in a semi-circle. Sing a short waiata about nature to set the mood and introduce the theme (e.g., "Ngā Manu o Aotearoa").

2. Introducing New Zealand’s Native Animals (3 Minutes)

Show each plush animal one at a time and say:

• "This is a kiwi! Where do you think it lives?" (Encourage responses)
• "This is a tuatara! Do you think it likes warm, sunny places or cool, shady places?"
• "This is a kererū! Where do we see birds flying?"

For each animal guessed correctly, place it onto its correct habitat mat (forest, wetland, coastal). Let children take turns placing the animals if they wish.

3. Sensory Habitat Experience (3 Minutes)

Pass around different sensory materials related to each habitat:

• Forest: Soft fabric leaves, small twigs
• Wetland: Smooth, damp sponge representing the soft ground where wading birds live
• Coastal: Dry sandbag representing beaches where seals and birds may live

Ask, "How do these feel? Does this remind you of where an animal might live?"

4. Movement & Sound Activity (2 Minutes)

• Play bird and forest sounds quietly in the background.
• Ask students to move like the animals: "Let’s all tiptoe like a kiwi looking for food!" or "Let’s flap our arms like a kererū gliding through the forest!"

Encourage them to explore movement and sound together.

5. Wrap-Up & Reflection (1 Minute)

Gather in a circle and ask:

• "Which animal was your favourite?"
• "Where do they live?"
• "Why do they like that place?"

End the lesson with a quick stretch and a thank-you for their enthusiasm.

Extension (For Continued Play)

• Set up a small exploratory corner with toy animals and natural elements for free play.
• Use short digital clips showcasing native wildlife for children to watch later.
• Bring in feathers, bark, or shells for further exploration in future sessions.

Teacher Reflection

• Were students engaged and actively participating?
• Which activities sparked the most curiosity?
• How can this be extended into tomorrow’s play-based learning?

This lesson is designed to immerse preschool students in an interactive and sensory-based discovery of New Zealand’s native wildlife, making abstract concepts tangible while fostering curiosity and respect for nature.