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"He aha tēnei?" Sign Language Week 2023
We supported and participated in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) week and in support of our current focus on nature in the Kōtare Rūma, we sat down for mat time and learnt a new song about insects (ngā ngārara). "He aha tēnei?" by Sharon Holt is a waiata by a New Zealand author/songwriter that incorporates both Te Reo and NZSL. The Kōtare tamariki really enjoyed listening to the song and watching the action. Some even followed along and copied them.
We learnt the Te Reo for lots of different insects including snail (ngata), butterfly (pūrerehua) and worm (noke). Kaiako Janine also taught us some of the names in Afrikaans including slak (snail), skoenlapper (butterfly) and wurm (worm). Our youngest pēpē also enjoyed joining us for this mat time and moved their little bodies to the music. It was lovely for them to be able to join in and see and hear different languages being used in the rūma.
We will continue to provide these opportunities for our tamariki to continue to learn NZSL, Te Reo and other languages and encourage you to do the same. If you would like to hear this song and learn the signs yourself you can find "He aha tēnei" by Sharon Holt on YouTube.