Kotahi te ha o te tupuna me te mokopuna
The heartbeat of the tupuna and the mokopuna are one
He purapura i ruia mai i Rangiātea E kore e ngaro
We are the seeds of rangiatea, we will never be lost
This paper was prepared by Justine Mason, University of Canterbury, 2009.
Key question: What is paramount in the care of infants and toddlers?
Introduction
Te Whāriki suggests that the care of infants is specialised and is not a watered-down version of a three to four-year-old programme. However, often we provide similar environments and activities for infants and toddlers that we would find in a three or four-year old programme. Te Whāriki also emphasises infants and toddlers developing meaningful, authentic relationships through responsive, reciprocal interactions with people places and things. Respectful interactions are also imperative in the care of infants and toddlers.
Key terms
Responsive: Responding readily to some influence
Hononga: To make connections
Reciprocal: In return, expressing mutual action or relation
Utu: In return, to make a response
Respectful: Deferential (courteous regard) esteem felt or shown towards a person
Manaaki: To tend and care for, to show respect and kindness