The following shows how emotional awareness, regulation and spiritual connectedness are woven through each of the strands of 'Te Whāriki'.
All children have the right to be in a safe, warm and supportive emotional environment. Mokopuna increase their capacity for self-regulation as they develop an understanding of their own, and others’ emotions. This may include mokopuna developing a sense of their spiritual identity and connections.
Children develop a sense of belonging to the early childhood setting, local community, and te taiao. The interconnectedness of people, place, time and the world are important in Māori, Pacific and other indigenous worldviews. Appreciation of, and respect for, children’s social and cultural connections can be expressed through the day-to-day life of the early childhood setting. As well as this, consistent caregiving practices support children to develop their identity, self-awareness and self-regulation.
When children’s identity, culture and spiritual connections are affirmed in the early childhood setting, they are empowered to participate and contribute. Mokopuna develop understanding of their own and others’ emotions through contribution in conversations, play and sharing stories. Respectful interactions, modelling and practices by kaiako all contribute to children’s growing sense of empathy and connectedness.
Through progressing communication skills (both verbally and non-verbally) mokopuna can both convey and manage their emotions. When children learn to express themselves in various ways, they have increased opportunities to communicate and process their emotions and their sense of identity. Many cultural and spiritual occasions are celebrated and communicated through music, dance, drama and art, and these modes also offer children accessible and enjoyable ways to connect to their spirituality.
Children’s exploration involves all aspects of the environment, including te taiao, emotions and spirituality. Mokopuna develop curiosity and capabilities for investigating their own working theories about the emotional, physical, spiritual and natural worlds. An important part of exploration is growing emotional security and comfort with the risk of failure and uncertainty. Mokopuna may express their connection to te taiao in terms of respect for Papatūānuku, Ranginui and atua Māori.
