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To celebrate Māori Language Week, we did two fun activities that helped the children learn about Māori culture and language. The day was full of excitement as the children made crowns and learned some Māori words.
Making Māori Symbol Crowns-
In the first activity, the children made colorful crowns using Māori symbols, especially the koru. The koru is a special shape that means new beginnings and growth. The children used paper, markers, feathers, and stickers to make their crowns. They carefully cut and glued, enjoying the chance to be creative. While they worked, we talked about the meaning of the koru. The children were interested in how the koru shows growth, just like how they are growing and learning every day. When the crowns were finished, the children proudly wore them, happy with what they made. After making their Māori symbol crowns, the children gathered together to sing the New Zealand National Anthem, “Aotearoa.” They sang both the Māori and English verses with excitement, showing their growing connection to the Māori culture. This special moment allowed the children to honor and celebrate Māori Language Week as a group.
Learning Māori Words-
In the second activity, we practiced some simple Māori words. We wrote words like “Turu” (sit) and “Kia Ora” (hello) on the whiteboard. The children gathered around and repeated the words together. They were excited to try out new words and practiced saying them out loud. We repeated the words a few times, and soon the children began using them during the day. This activity helped them learn new words and gave them confidence in speaking.
Learning Happened-
These activities connect with Te Whāriki by fostering a sense of belonging and cultural identity, as children explore Māori culture through language and creativity. In the crown-making activity, the children practiced their fine motor skills by cutting and gluing. They also used their creativity to decorate their crowns. At the same time, they learned about the koru symbol and its meaning in Māori culture. In the language activity, the children practiced saying Māori words, which helped them develop their language skills and confidence. Both activities helped the children learn about Māori culture, be creative, and feel part of the group as they worked together.
Through Poutama, the children build foundational skills such as fine motor development and language learning in progressive steps. The focus on NELP (National Education and Learning Priorities) promotes inclusion, cultural awareness, and communication, supporting the holistic development of each child.
These activities made Māori Language Week fun and special, helping the children connect with Māori culture through art and language.