A Seasonal Rhythm of Learning for Homeschoolers in Aotearoa
Learning with place, weather, and time in Te Whanganui-a-Tara
For many homeschooling families in the Wellington region, one of the ongoing questions is how to shape learning in a way that feels sustainable, meaningful, and responsive to children’s real lives — rather than trying to recreate a classroom at home.
Seasonal learning offers one possible approach. By aligning learning with the rhythms of the seasons, families can notice changes in weather, light, plants, animals, and community life, and allow learning to emerge through lived experience.
This resource offers a gentle framework for seasonal learning in the Wellington region, alongside local examples and ideas that families can adapt to suit their own children, values, and circumstances.
Why seasonal rhythms can support learning
Wellington’s seasons are felt in everyday ways — southerlies and northerlies, changing daylight, garden cycles, and the way people move through the city and surrounding hills.
Learning cycles that respond to these rhythms can help children:
feel oriented in time and place
develop ecological awareness through direct experience
work with natural variations in energy and focus
integrate learning more deeply rather than rushing between topics
Seasonal learning is not about rigid planning. Instead, it offers a loose, repeatable structure that supports curiosity, reflection, and continuity across the year.
Learning through the seasons (Southern Hemisphere)
The following seasonal themes are offered as invitations . Each family’s rhythm will look different, and learning may flow between seasons rather than fit neatly within dates.
Spring (September – November)
Emergence, growth, curiosity
Spring in Wellington brings longer days, new growth, and renewed energy.
Learning often centres on:
plant growth, pollination, and life cycles
gardening, seed saving, and observation journals
noticing changing weather and daylight
imaginative play, storytelling, and creative expression
Local places to explore
Ōtari–Wilton’s Bush (native plants, forest ecology)
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne (ecosystems, conservation)
Community gardens and neighbourhood green spaces
Our own learning home, Mangaroa Farms, offers a Spring Open Day
Spring can be a good time for starting new projects and spending extended time outdoors.
Summer (December – February)
Exploration, movement, connection
Summer invites movement, social connection, and learning through experience.
Learning might include:
coastal and freshwater ecosystems
mapping walks and local geography
practical maths through cooking, measuring, and building
creative projects and open-ended play
Wellington Botanic Gardens
Wellington’s Island Bay Marine Research Centre and tide pool zone
Local places to explore
Wellington’s south coast beaches and rock pools
Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River
Local parks, trails, and neighbourhood spaces
Berry picking adventures
For many families, summer learning feels lighter and is woven into daily life rather than structured lessons.
Autumn (March – May)
Integration, harvest, reflection
Autumn often brings a natural slowing and a chance to gather learning from earlier in the year.
Learning might include:
food systems, harvest, and preservation
ecosystems, decomposition, and cycles of change
longer writing, journaling, or research projects
reflection on what has been learned so far
Local places to explore
Te Papa (science, history, inquiry-based exhibitions)
Wellington Museum (local history and storytelling)
Regional parks such as Belmont or Kaitoke
This can be a rich time for integrating learning across subjects.
Winter (June – August)
Rest, depth, storytelling
Winter in Wellington often brings quieter energy and more time indoors.
Learning may focus on:
reading, storytelling, and oral history
handcrafts, making, and fine-motor work
weather observation and simple experiments
discussion, reflection, and long-form inquiry
For the adventurous, white water rafting is at its peak
Local places to explore
Wellington City Libraries
Te Papa
Capital E and local arts spaces
Home-based projects and small-group learning
Winter learning often prioritises depth, repetition, and care over coverage.
How core learning fits within seasonal rhythms
Seasonal learning does not replace literacy or numeracy. Instead, these skills are woven into meaningful contexts, such as:
reading through shared texts, research, and instructions
writing through journals, letters, lists, and reflection
maths through cooking, budgeting, measuring, and building
science through observation, questioning, and experimentation
Many families find this approach aligns well with the intent of the New Zealand Curriculum, while allowing greater flexibility and relevance.
A note for homeschooling families
There is no single “right” way to homeschool or follow seasonal rhythms. What matters most is that learning feels nourishing, sustainable, and responsive to your child and family life.
Seasonal learning is simply one way of paying closer attention — to the land, to children, and to the rhythms already present in everyday life.
Earth School Aotearoa’s perspective
At Earth School Aotearoa, learning is shaped by place, relationships, and seasonal rhythm. Our programmes are designed to complement homeschooling, offering opportunities for shared learning, social connection, and place-based exploration within a consistent, caring environment.
Earth School is not a full-time school. Responsibility for children’s education remains with families, supported by experienced educators and a learning environment grounded in care for people and place.
Why this resource is offered
This page is shared as part of a growing resource hub for Wellington learners, educators, and homeschooling families. It is offered to support learning in diverse ways, and will continue to grow slowly over time.
If you’re curious about how these ideas are lived out in a shared learning setting, you’re welcome to explore Earth School Aotearoa’s programmes or get in touch for a conversation.