0.3 Cultivating Spaces for ʻŌiwi Learners

At Kamehameha Schools Preschools, we recognize the vital role that the learning environment plays in fostering successful learners.  Viewed as the third kumu, the learning environment assists with strengthening connections between haumāna, ʻohana, ʻāina and kaiāulu. Designing an environment that reflects the values, beliefs and identities of haumāna promotes the engagement and investment of haumāna within their own learning. Spaces and materials should be chosen with intentionality to help capture haumāna interest, promote critical thinking skills, reflect the diverse backgrounds of haumāna, and provide a safe space to explore and encourage positive interactions. Providing a culturally relevant environment allows haumāna to engage in learning experiences that kōkua with developing their sense of place and fostering their Native Hawaiian identity. Transforming learning environments to reflect and support the exploration of cultural traditions and practices, presents haumāna with the opportunity to learn through doing. This introductory course to creating high quality and culturally relevant learning environments is designed to contribute to the instructional foundation of Kamehameha Schools Preschool Kumu.