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Learning about taonga tākaro/ traditional Māori games
During our Kiwi group (four year old group) we have been learning about taonga tākaro/ traditional Māori games. Each day we have been learning a new game and practicing those that we have learnt.
We learnt a game where we first make a circle. Next, we hold up our right thumb and left palm. Everyone puts their thumb on the palm of the person beside them. We stomped our right foot and called "takahia, takahia, takahia" which means stomp. When the leader calls "hī" everyone tries to catch the thumb on their palm, while trying to quickly pull their own thumb out of the way.
The second game we learnt is called " in the beginning". It goes like this:
Leader: whai mai Aku ringa- follow my hands.
Group: hi, hi, hi ha.
Leader: I Te tīmatanga- in the beginning.
Group: tahi, rua, toru, wha.
These words go alongside a clapping sequence. Then, in the second part makes an ultimate handshake.
Ka tahi- left hand clap,
Ka rua, right hand clap
Ka toru, double hand clap.
As we practice this game and get to know it well, we will continue adding to the sequence.
The third game we learnt is called poi patu. In this game the tamariki/ children used the poi to play a group game. Everyone has a poi and try to tap the ankles of the other players. When your ankles are tapped, you move to the side and see who can stay until the end. We also learnt to throw and catch our poi with a partner to practice our hand eye coordination and motor skills.
The tamariki have been having lots of fun learning these taonga tākaro/ traditional Māori games and sharing the new skills with the teina/ younger tamariki. As part of our centre philosophy, we value and respect our bi- cultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand. It has been fantastic to learn these taonga tākaro at our local Marae and share this knowledge with tamariki.