Play based learning that supports Te Whāriki: Tiny Town Sessions for Schools in Christchurch and Canterbury
Teachers across Christchurch, Rolleston, Selwyn, Ashburton, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Halswell, Riccarton, Hornby, and wider Canterbury are always looking for meaningful, hands on ways to support new entrants as they settle into school life. Tiny Town’s mobile role play experience offers a perfect fit. A high quality, screen free play based learning experience that aligns beautifully with Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum. Supporting Te Whāriki through real world play, our sessions naturally strengthen the five strands of Te Whāriki:
Mana Whenua – Belonging
Mana Atua – Well-being
Mana Tangata – Contribution
Mana Reo – Communication
Mana Aotūroa – Exploration
Children develop social skills, language, empathy, problem solving, and confidence through authentic role-play scenarios. Because everything is hands on and non digital, Tiny Town provides a valuable counterbalance to screen based learning, giving tamariki rich, real-world experiences that support holistic development. Especially valuable for new entrants, the transition to school can be a big step for five year olds. Tiny Town sessions are particularly effective for new entrant classes because they:
Help children build relationships and meet new classmates in a relaxed, playful environment
Encourage cooperation, turn taking, and communication through meaningful play
Give children a sense of confidence as they take on different roles
Support oral language development in a natural, low pressure way
Many schools book us early in Term 1 as a gentle way for new students to connect with each other outside of formal classroom routines.
How It works
We come directly to your school hall, set up our mobile role-play town, and deliver a structured yet child led session. Teachers tell us they love the simplicity. No complicated technology, no extra planning, just high quality learning through play. Bridget, our Tiny Town Mayor, supports the children while allowing plenty of space for imagination and social interaction.
Book Tiny Town for your school
Whether you’re in Christchurch, Rolleston, Selwyn, Ashburton, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, or anywhere across Canterbury, Tiny Town makes it easy to bring meaningful play-based learning to your school. If you’re looking for a Te Whāriki aligned, screen free experience that supports your new entrants and the whole class, we’d love to chat.
Contact us to book a school session - Hello@tinytown.nz | 0224312160
Facilitated by Bridget
Learning through role-play at schools
