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Telling our story
During the week leading up to Waitangi Day, kaiako collaboratively worked together to come up with a fun and meaningful way that we could uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, where both the tamariki and kaiako could learn something new together.
We have been working hard on gathering knowledge about the iwi mana whenua for the Manawatu region, which is Rangitanē. Through acknowledging the Rangitanē iwi we have started the conversation with tamariki about the awa, waka and maunga, making visual cues and information for tamariki, kaiako and whānau to read and share.
The first Māori legend we chose to learn about was the legend of how the Manawatu river, Tararua and Ruahine ranges were created. Through dramatic play, spontaneous opportunities and various props kaiako told story of Okatia a spirit that lived within a gargantuan Totara tree and longed to go to the ocean.
By the end of the week, through dramatic storytelling and repetition tamariki were able to tell kaiako and their whānau the story of how the Manawatu river was created. Kaiako asked open ended questions to involve tamariki in the story telling process which is a great way for us to see just how much they are learning, extends their language and communication skills as well as their listening and comprehension. We will continue to tell this story of Okatia and learn more about the Manawatu river and learning more about local myths and legends of the Rangitanē people.