Te Whāriki is based on the aspirations that children grow up:
- as competent and confident learners and communicators
- healthy in mind, body and spirit
- secure in their sense of belonging
- secure in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.
It is a surprising wee gem of a document - well done Early Childhood - thank goodness the government isn't interfering with this side of their professionalism ... yet (knock on wood!!!).
Te Whāriki principles are;
- Empowerment
- Holistic Development
- Family and Community
- Relationships
What an amazing foundation for our youngsters - it would be great if this could transition more into our primary curriculum ( not to mention our secondary!). These things are important to us all!!
Notes I made this time around
Empowerment - Feedback to students on their learning must enhance their sense of themselves to nurture esteem in their capability and competence
Holistic Development - assessing needs to take place in context - transparently meaningful/purposeful activities
Family and Community
The necessity and usefulness of having family integrated into assessment and evaluation of the curriculum AND student's learning and development.
Also I note the positives and negatives we deal with as educators in the reality of parental influence on learning (transferences of parents educational baggage to their children).
Relationships - adults as learners - life long learners whether they know it or not! Self awareness of this is key.
Five learning strands
Te Whāriki’s four principles are interwoven with these learning areas:- Mana atua wellbeing
- Mana tangata contribution
- Mana whenua belonging
- Mana reo communication
- Mana aotūroa exploration.
Thoughts on these another time...
