Under Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership, all children come into the world keen to learn and have the right to equitable opportunities to become literate members of society. Kaiako have a responsibility to address any barriers to literacy learning and provide additional support where needed to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. In addition, “this vision implies a society that recognises Māori as tangata whenua, assumes a shared obligation for protecting Māori language and culture, and ensures that Māori are able to enjoy educational success as Māori” (Te Whāriki, p. 6).
The four principles of Te Whāriki are important touchstones, guiding how emergent literacy is effectively implemented in practice.
- Whakamana | Empowerment stresses the importance of protecting and enhancing children’s sense of themselves as capable, competent learners and communicators. When children, from infancy on, are viewed as active literacy participants, then kaiako are more likely to recognise and value their growing emergent literacy capabilities and enhance children’s sense of themselves as emerging readers and writers.
- Ngā hononga | Relationships emphasises the importance of children’s active engagement with people, places and things - as they learn through play and social interaction. Kaiako can support this through the thoughtful provision of a wide range of resources and opportunities to engage with important cultural tools as part of a literacy-rich learning environment.
- Kotahitanga | Holistic learning reminds us that children’s emergent literacy capabilities are supported when they are physically, emotionally, spiritually, and cognitively engaged. In practice, this includes providing experiences that are fun, active, meaningful and support children’s learning within their zone of proximal development.
- Whānau tangata | Family and community emphasises the importance of listening to and respecting the aspirations whānau have for literacy learning. It also means recognising and building on children’s linguistic, cultural and literacy funds of knowledge. Kaiako can support this by engaging with whānau and children to understand home literacy practices and resources, along with children’s interests and strengths.
The pace at which children develop literacy knowledge and skills varies, with some requiring additional support to make a successful transition to school. To ensure all children maximize their learning potential, kaiako will have a sound understanding of literacy development. This includes recognising that children acquire emergent literacy capabilities in diverse ways and at different rates, influenced by social, cultural, physical, and cognitive factors.
Language and literacy are the means through which people identify with and engage in cultural practices. An inclusive learning environment values and incorporates home literacy practices into curriculum design including the use of specific written scripts and literacy activities associated with cultural events.
