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Ngā Tamariki o te Tai ao
There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!
Pikler Infant Care
The Pikler Institute in Hungary is a learning space dedicated to allowing pepi to develop their motor skills through respectful relationships that minimise the need for tamariki to be restrained or incapsulated.
Parents and caregivers speak with infants in a way that seeks their involvement in their daily care. Children are encouraged to communicate their needs to a responsive care giver.
Pikler's theory of Infant Care values the development of pepi and acknowledges the key role a gentle educarer plays in supporting the growth of pepi.
Nature Play
Outdoor play need not be a pasttime of yesterday year. The world over children are experiencing a decline in the opportunities to venture outdoors and play.
Play is seen as the essential building block to developing strong motor neurones pathways, which develop verbal, motor, priorpoceptive and problem solving skills.
Tamariki will have access to nature play in their immediate environment, through images and documentation and through repeated excursions in the local whenua, Moana and awa.
Kaiako will be experienced in supporting tamariki in both outdoor play. Tamariki will have the opportunity to participate in daily rituals that support their development. These include baking, washing up, tidying up learning areas and being a part of the community.
Reggio Emilia
As each of the approaches before have acknowledged the importance of the role of the child is kaiako. Reggio Emilia also acknowledges the role of the child's natural environment in shaping their world.
The environment is referred to as the Third Teacher and aligns beautifully with Te Ao Maori and the role of whenua as essential to shaping tamariki. The third element of this approach is that the kaiako is also a learner. The reciprocal approach, also known as ako underpins how we engage with tamariki.
A final and essential element in this approach is that tamariki guide the learning through projects and wonderings, and kaiako support this approach by exploring alongside tamariki.