aistear irish early years curriculum and te whariki

Contribution - Children learn with and alongside others. Children see their own culture, language and world views valued, and the achievements and aspirations of each child’s family and community are respected.ģ. Feeling that they belong contributes to their wellbeing and gives them the confidence to try new experiences. Children know they have a place and feel comfortable with routines, customs and regular events. Each child is treated with respect and diversity is valued. Belonging - Children know they belong and have a sense of connection to others and the environment. They develop self-worth, identity, confidence and enjoyment, together with emotional regulation and self-control.Ģ. They are kept safe from harm and begin to appreciate healthy eating, nutrition and take part in physical activity. Children’s health is promoted and their emotional wellbeing nurtured. Wellbeing - Children have a sense of wellbeing and resilience. These principles underpin the following five strands of child development.ġ. This expands children’s participation and contribution to their world. Children are presented with a wide range of experiences that include important cultural tools, both material and psychological. The environment for children embraces respectful relationships, encouragement, warmth and acceptance.

The updated 2017 version includes a stronger focus on bicultural practice, the importance of language, culture, identity, and the inclusion of all children.Ĭhildren learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places and things. “Competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.” These are designed at a local level and reflect the diverse families, multiple communities, cultures and tribes that are represented in early childhood education in New Zealand. Te Whariki does not provide any guidelines for content or teaching methods. The actual curriculum itself is provided by the people, places and things in the child’s environment, such as the adults, the other children, the physical environment and the resources. It weaves the foundational principles, strands and goals together to represent the interrelatedness of these components of the curriculum. The name Te Whariki is a Maori word meaning “woven mat” (see the diagram below). “A child is a treasure, to be nurtured, to grow, to flourish.”įirst published in 1996, the Te Whariki approach is recognised internationally as an innovative curriculum that recognises the important role of social and cultural learning and of relationships with people, places and things.

Aistear irish early years curriculum and te whariki