"Yeah, she's on to it -- she's pretty amazing."
Unlike most kids, Harmony didn't learn about her favourite creepy crawlies in the classroom. In fact she doesn't, as such, go to school.
The McEwans practice unschooling, an educational philosophy which allows children to learn through their natural life experiences.
Similar to homeschooled children, Harmony's classroom is her house: with blocks, pictures and puzzle pieces strewn through the playroom, and the kids' clothes splattered in paint, her learning environment is clearly a hive of activity.
Unlike homeschooling, however, unschooled pupils don't sit down for lessons, instead absorbing information through play, household responsibilities, personal interests and social interaction.
And, if Harmony's knowledge of insects is anything to go by, she's having no problem soaking up the world around her.
"She's learning from life, which is what humans have done throughout their entire social evolution," Amber said.
"We, as parents, help facilitate the kids' learning as they go about their day.
"People tend to think they can't do it because they don't have a degree or don't think they're clever enough.
"But it's about providing opportunities for the kids to pursue their interests, and having faith in them to teach themselves.
Amber said she first came across unschooling two years ago, after meeting a group of parents at a Christmas market.
Thinking unschooling sounded "really hard", Amber didn't think much of it.
Shortly afterwards, Harmony attended kindergarten, and so followed a year of "sickness and misery".
"If there was a bug that went around her kindy, she'd bring it home.
"We went from never being sick, to sick all the time.
"We decided we keep her at home for a month -- our lives looked awesome after that."
Harmony then tried another kindergarten, but her health soon deteriorated - so Amber and her husband decided to try unschooling.
And the transformation was instant.
As a unschooling parent, Amber, a freshwater ecologist, has worked to nurture her daughter's passion for entomology -- spending hours in the garden, turning over rocks to find a previously undiscovered beetle or spider, and bringing them inside for Harmony to monitor.
"I think it's important to let her explore. Kids love bugs, but a lot of parents just go 'ew, gross'."
As well as taking Harmony to the library to read up on her favourite insects, she takes her to reserves for fungi hunting, trout fishing at Mt Holdsworth, on nature walks at Pukaha Mount Bruce, and even on work field trips.
"Harmony did her first kakahi survey at three," Amber said.
"We did the Bioblitz at Pukaha, and she was the star of the show."
"Yeah, we found a giraffe weevil," Harmony chimes in.
All of Harmony many-legged finds are recorded in a log book - in which, during the interview, she excitedly asks her mum to draw a cicada, a new favourite.
Amber has also encouraged Harmony to pursue imaginative play, such as painting, crafts, building blocks, puzzles, Duplo and making tents.
"Child-led play is a big part of it.
"Harmony has the most amazing imagination, and that's something that gets drummed out with too much structure."
Amber said one of the biggest benefits of unschooling has been allowing Harmony to be more rested, and not having to stick to a regimented schedule.
"School and kindy can be exhausting for kids.
"With unschooling, they can get up when they want, and you don't have to worry about them getting enough sleep.
"It means we can make the most of the wonderful summer nights we've had."
She said she has copped some criticism from friends and family for her decision to unschool, mainly fielding concerns about Harmony not "having proper socialisation" and not being "prepared for the real world".
"But, she's out in the real world every day.
"School is an artificial construct."
Amber isn't sure if Harmony will go to a mainstream school (families can apply for exemption after a child turns six) but her bright little girl knows exactly what she wants to do for a career."
"I want to breed spiders, especially tunnel webs.
"A lot of people are scared of them but I'm a big fan."
