Strengthening bicultural assessment practice

Explore ways we, as kaiako, can strengthen the weave of te ao Māori in narrative assessment. We will draw from the ancestral wisdom of pūrakau Māori and share stories that inspire, affirm and celebrate te mana o te tamaiti. Connections will be made between Learning Stories and how we effectively weave the richness of identity, language and culture into our narrative assessments and beyond.

Unpacking Te Whāriki

Principle to practice. What has changed with Te Whariki 2017? We can support your team to think reflectively about what the implications of the new Te Whāriki are inside your setting.

Wisdom of our Atua Māori

Tohunga of Māori astronomical knowledge, Dr. Rangi Matamua says ‘Time is one of our biggest colonisers’. Many of us are beginning a decolonising journey in order to commit to Tiriti centred ways of being as kaiako and leaders of early childhood education in Aotearoa.
This wānanga will examine the concept of time through the lens of one kaiako Māori. Using maramataka, the lunar calendar, as a foundation we will explore how deepening our understanding of an ao Māori perspective of time can bring us closer to Tiriti centred practice and tikanga for ourselves and the communities we serve. 

Planning by the Maramataka

Ko wai ngā tamariki o Ranginui me Papatuānuku? Who are the children of Ranginui and Papatuānuku? We know of Tānemahuta, atua of the forest. We know of his brother Tawhiritmātea, atua of the winds and storms. But were there others? As kaiako strengthening our connections to ngā atua Māori helps us to build our understanding of mana atuatanga/wellbeing. Reconnecting back to these stories and wisdom is pertinent to understanding the concept of mana, that every person is born with. Join me in a waananga centred on exploring some of the narratives and pūrakau of ngā atua Māori. Learn ways to deepen your relationship with this mātauranga as we consider ways of incorporating this knowledge into our everyday practice.

Dispositional learning and key competencies

Bridging the gap between ECE and Primary school.

Unpacking the NELP

Internal Evaluation and Professional Growth Cycle

Our thoughts on why Learning Stories, Professional Growth Cycle and Internal Evaluation aligned together, offer an insightful understanding of the learning valued and practised in early learning settings in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The environment as a third teacher

A teacher who supports children’s growing sense of autonomy.

Strengthening Social and Emotional Competence

Find ways to grow children’s competency, day-by-day, moment-by-moment. You will be supported to move away from old ways of being that can hinder instead of help, into ways that align our thinking to current research and theory.

Transition to school

Supporting teachers to grow resilient children, confident to transition to school and beyond – growing lifelong learners.

Kaiako Wellbeing

Supporting kaiako and kaiārahi to prioritise, protect and nurture their mental health and wellbeing, and that of their colleagues.

Nature education

Experiencing nature assists children with their holistic development. By looking at examples from other countries we can then consider who we are and maybe what have we lost. Look at what is possible, lift our view from the rocks, find the gaps and go for it anyway.

Growth mindset

Building resilient learners and thinkers. To praise or not to praise?

Image of the child

Rich in potential, the view we have of children impacts on the way we teach.

Managers, Leaders and Governance Groups

We can provide mentor support and appraisal. We can also assist with supporting wise practice ideas around roles and responsibilities in each of these areas.

Infant and toddler settings

Wise practice; respect, rituals and rhythms.