How my centre implements Tikanga Maori

Stop

When I first started at my centre the staff members greeted me in Maori and as I began settling in to the centre I started to notice that they actually implemented a lot of Tikanga Maori which I thought was quite amazing. I noticed how the children know not to sit on a table because the staff really emphasized that “tables are for food and not for bottoms”. I also noticed how children took their shoes off when they came inside and put them back on when they went outside. Children were also not allowed to run and yell inside and all this is quite similar to a Marae. The staff also greet children as well as each other in Maori and also when letting a child know that they are doing a great job by saying “Ka pai!” We also say prayer in Maori and sing songs.

Think

I think my centre has been very successful because the children know what the different Maori phrases mean and why they shouldn’t sit in a table and so on. The children recognise and acknowledge Maori language and respect the rules that are associated with Tikanga Maori. I think staff, families and the community all play a vital role in the success of how Tikanga Maori is implemented because they all need to play an equal part in keeping Tikanga Maori within the centre, their homes and their communities.

Change

I have learnt a lot from my centre and I have no doubt that I will be able to take what I’ve learnt from them into a new centre. I probably wouldn’t make any changes but at least I know how Tikanga Maori is implemented within a centre successfully and if I come across a centre that does not do this then I am well prepared.

Establishing and maintaining relationships with children

Stop: When I first started at my centre there was a small group of children that clung to me and still do till this day. They all asked me what my name was so I told them and then I asked what there names were. From there conversations started and as I was talking to that group of children the other children would come over and see what was happening and I would make an effort to get to know them aswell.  I also made an effort to remember each childs name and by the second week I was able to greet each child by name.  As soon as I enter the centre I have a huge smile on my face as the kids yell out “hi Kryistal!” I always make sure that I spend time with every child before I leave, by playing games outside or reading books and setting up puzzle activities inside.

Think: What I’ve noticed when establishing relationships with children is that you just have to be yourself in order to have successful relationships with children. I have really good relationships with children because of how I have maintained them. I am able to have conversations with them where they may tell me about their family, what they did in the weekend or they may ask questions about me which keeps the conversation flowing. Being able to talk to children on a personal level makes me feel like I belong there and everytime I go into the centre I get this feeling of excitement and happiness because everyday is unpredictable and I am always presented with fun new challenges.  I've learnt that you need to be very patient with children and don’t expect too much when trying to establish relationships with children, just go in with a fresh mind because things may not go accordingly. All you need to do is be yourself.

Change: I probably wouldn’t change the way I established and maintained relationships with children because it worked so well. However I will have an open mind when going into a new centre so that I am pepared when new challenges come my way.