The following shows how forms and functions of literacy is included in each of the strands of Te Whāriki.
By paying particular attention to social and cultural forms and functions of literacy, kaiako create a supportive environment that nurtures wellbeing and is more inclusive of all children. This broader approach to literacy ensures that children develop not only the technical skills required to become readers and writers but also the social, emotional, and cognitive abilities that contribute to their wellbeing. For example, exposure to stories and texts from diverse cultures encourages a mindset that respects differences and shows empathy towards others.
Children learn best when they can draw on lived experiences, and the learning they have already acquired. They are more likely to feel a connection to and confidence in literacy if the resources and reasons for using literacy are familiar. With confidence comes motivation and the inclination for further learning in order to communicate and connect with others. Forms and functions that enable children to understand and express their cultural identity, connect with their community's stories and traditions, and engage meaningfully with their environment's symbols and practices are likely to foster a sense of belonging and positive identity. Understanding this, kaiako aim to strike a balance between literacy forms and functions that reflect children’s home experiences and those that represent new learning.
When kaiako ensure that social and cultural forms and functions of literacy are valued and visible, children are more likely to contribute and express themselves with greater confidence. Understanding how literacy functions to preserve and share cultural ways of being and doing supports children to appreciate their role - upholding cultural identity, both for themselves and others.
Diverse forms of literacy, such as fiction and non-fiction books, movement and dance narratives, videos and other multimedia, broaden the opportunities for critical thinking. Kaiako who recognise and act on this, can meaningfully engage children in learning concepts of social justice, fairness, and equity.
We all come to know the world through communication. The more ways we have to express our thoughts, ideas, and feelings, the more we can learn about ourselves and others. While vocabulary and grammar knowledge are important for literacy, it is understanding the social and cultural forms and functions that teach children how to interact, be a friend, advocate for others, collaborate, and solve problems. In other words, understanding different forms and functions of literacy makes communication effective. This shows how important it is for kaiako to embed literacy in real social and cultural contexts that occur in children’s play and routines.
Curiosity and an interest in exploring the world are likely to grow when children are exposed to various forms and uses of literacy. For example, waiata ā-ringa, drama, and cultural expressions of dance and movement offer opportunities to explore communication beyond the spoken word. Learning to use charts and tables to record information (e.g. measuring a plant’s growth over time) helps children develop logical thinking, mathematical and scientific interests. Social and cultural forms and functions of literacy such as creating their own stories, facilitate children’s abilities to experiment, innovate, and collaborate with others. Kaiako encourage exploration, by drawing on a variety of texts – print, visual and oral – and plenty of opportunities to use them.
