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How we inspire our whanau
Here at BestStart Papatoetoe, it is important that we as kaiako develop meaningful relationships with whanau. We can do this by inspiring them and respecting their aspirations for their children as well as unique individuals where they can develop and grow in areas of trust understanding and knowledge. It is evidently done through daily interactions and everyday practice of values of Tikanga, in partnership with Treaty of Waitangi, and celebrating the diverse nature of our community.
Children learn and develop best when their culture, knowledge, and community are affirmed when whanau and kaiako’s help them to make connections across settings so celebrating the Treaty of Waitangi gave us just this opportunity. The Treaty of Waitangi (Māori: Te Rā o Waitangi) brought us an opportunity to learn Māori stick games consisting of the rhythmic throwing and catching of sticks (Te Rākau) from person to person. We invited a parent who taught us this game to our tamariki and Kaiako collaborating together with the parent. This learning has been explored by our pepe (babies) in our babies room as we merged outdoors where all children loved the environment while enjoying Rakau (Maori sticks).
This gave us a platform to learn the Maori song called "E papa waiari" which is the traditional music for the game. We also provided our tamariki with Poi (poi is a Maori word for “ball” on a cord used in Maori dance performances). This emphasizes our curriuculum which states that all children be provided with opportunities to develop a knowledge and understanding of the heritages of both partners of the treaty.