Why Is Early Childhood Te Reo Important?

Te reo Māori is a rich cultural language that allows children to engage in traditional practices such as carving, weaving, and kapa haka. Exposure to multiple languages supports brain development in children. It is crucial to start with whānau’s aspirations when developing teaching and learning programs, which may include teaching and using te reo, waiata, and pakiwaitara, local i. New research has demonstrated greater knowledge and use of Te Reo Maori among preschool-aged children.

Te Ahu o te Reo Māori means the future pathway of te Reo Māori, aiming to grow and strengthen an education workforce that can integrate te reo Māori. Early childhood pedagogies in Aotearoa do not segregate te reo Māori as a subject to be directly taught, but instead expect it to be taught in accordance with the early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki.

Learning te reo Māori helps students grow as learners by discovering more ways of learning, knowing, and understanding their own capabilities. They may become more reflective as they compare what they know of their first language with what they are learning in te reo Māori. A culture in which caring for others is both expected and encouraged is important to Māori parents when choosing early childhood settings.

Learning te reo Māori is more than just an intellectual exercise; it is an opportunity to teach kids about another culture and make them more well-rounded. Teaching and learning te reo Māori is important because it relates to the bicultural framing of Te Whāriki and the vision that all children should be taught te reo Māori. Parents encourage each other to speak te reo Māori during sessions, and the correct pronunciation of children’s names is important.

The use of te reo and tikanga Māori supports children to connect with their identity and the land, building connections between the community. Strategies by which Māori ways of being, knowing, and doing are being enacted through the medium of te reo in early childhood are explored.

Why should Te Reo be compulsory?

The argument that Maori should be compulsory in New Zealand is not valid, as sign language is also an official language. The argument is that if the Maori language dies in New Zealand, it would be completely lost. The argument is that taxpayer funding should be used to teach Maori to children whose parents want it, and to fund Maori-language radio and television stations. However, this argument does not apply to sign language, which has never been formally made one of New Zealand’s official languages. The Maori language would also be a significant part of the cultural identity of a significant minority of the population.

What are the benefits of the TE Whāriki approach?

The education system focuses on children’s empowerment, holistic development, family, whānau, and community, and positive relationships. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of intellectual, social, cultural, physical, emotional, and spiritual learning. The five learning strands, including Te Whāriki’s four principles, are interconnected with these areas: Mana atua (wellbeing), Mana tangata (contribution), Mana whenua (belonging), Mana reo (communication), and Mana aotūroa (exploration).

Why is engaging with Māori important?

The government is focusing on improving the quality and regularity of Māori Crown engagement across the public sector. This is a priority to ensure better outcomes for both Maori and the government, adherence to Treaty obligations, and the development of effective policy options. Public servants should have the skills and ability to work with Māori and respond to issues affecting them. A focus on raising the capability of public servants will result in enhanced responsiveness to Māori issues. The government’s intent is to guide engagement with Māori and the Māori Crown relationship.

Why is it important for early childhood teachers to understand their relationship to Te Tiriti O Waitangi?

The Tamariki program is open-door and welcomes conversations with whānau at any time through various means such as email, phone call, or Storypark. By incorporating whānaungatanga, the program allows whānau to have barrier-free access to Kaiako to discuss their child’s learning and development. The program seeks aspirations from whānau regularly and promotes positive relationships and interconnectedness with families. It is crucial to demonstrate commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through learning te reo Māori and partnering with families.

Learning about Māori gods like Papatūānuku and ranginui can inform the practice of kaitiakitanga, which is the importance of caring for the whenua. The program fosters kaitiakitanga in the environment and community by promoting sustainability practices, caring for the environment, and utilizing natural and real-world resources.

Educators play a crucial role in guiding their students to understand these values and dispositions, giving them the language and confidence to see themselves as possessing and upholding these values.

What are the 3 P’s of the Treaty of Waitangi in ECE?

The three “P’s”—partnership, participation, and protection—represent the fundamental principles that govern the relationship between the Government and Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Why are Māori values important?

The Māori community’s core values, including tikanga, whakapapa, and manaakitanga, are integral to their culture, traditions, and way of life. These values form the foundation for strong community bonds and harmony. One of these values is kaitiakitanga, which involves guardianship and environmental stewardship. The Māori people have a deep connection to their land and natural resources, viewing themselves as caretakers entrusted with protecting and sustaining them for future generations. Understanding these values provides a deeper appreciation for their culture and traditions.

Why is it important to use te reo in ECE?

Māori traditions, customs, and concepts like whanaungatanga and manaakitanga teach us about family, respect, and caring. These rich traditions enrich learning and make children more well-rounded. For example, kaitiakitanga, or caring for the land, helps children understand the past and become passionate about future care. The cultural history of New Zealand is also significant, as teaching children about these stories and traditions leads to singing waiata (songs) and speaking about them in the language, which they can share with their whānau and wider community. This exponential learning process fosters a deeper understanding of the world and its people.

Why is Te Reo so important?

Studying Te Reo Māori can help individuals grow as learners by exploring various learning methods and becoming more reflective of their capabilities. It can also help build bonds with people, as bilinguals have the opportunity to interact with a broader spectrum of people in personal and professional life. Learning the Māori language makes individuals feel like natives of the land, expanding their horizons and fostering a connection with the Māori culture.

The Māori community’s generosity and the Māori community’s customs, beliefs, artistic expressions, and history are fostered by the ability to communicate in their language. Overall, studying Te Reo Māori can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Māori culture.

What are the 5 principles of te tiriti o waitangi?

The principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which include self-determination, partnership, equity, active protection, and options, are crucial in improving Māori health. The New Zealand National Commission for the Crown (RANZCP) is working to meet its responsibilities under Te Tiriti, with the support of the New Zealand National Committee, Te Kaunihera, and other committees. This position statement aims to ensure Te Tiriti informs the RANZCP’s work within a New Zealand context, ensuring that the principles of the Treaty are upheld and upheld.

What are the 5 principles of Te Whāriki?

Te Whāriki is a curriculum guideline for early childhood services in New Zealand, aimed at promoting well-being, belonging, contribution, and communication. It was published in 1996 and revised in 2017, and is based on principles such as Whakamana (empowerment), Kotahitanga (holistic development), Whānau Tangata (family and community), and Ngā Hononga (relationships). The curriculum outlines the values that early childhood services must follow to maintain their license to operate and educate children.

Te Whāriki includes aspects of what a child can experience at home in relationships with parents, family, and community, such as a strong sense of belonging, well-being, and communication. To help ECE services, Te Whāriki makes these values explicit by setting out principles and goals for service practice and providing guidance for teaching approaches and assessment.

What are the learning outcomes in Te Whāriki?

Te Whāriki emphasizes learning outcomes as a combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These outcomes are holistic, integrating knowledge, skills, attitudes, thinking, and feeling. The Hirini Melbourne oriori (lullaby) in Book 1 encourages children to seek out the secrets of their mind and know the sounds and dreams of their spirit. These working theories provide valuable insights into children’s lives and experiences.