Te rere o te reo

Understanding & Using Language

Children’s growing ability to understand what is said to them and to use words, phrases, and sentences to communicate with others.
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Revisit

This process is not an end-in-itself. It is important you continue to review your practices:
  • Re-look at lay the groundwork. How could you strengthen learning for all children?
  • Continue to notice & recognise the progress of individual children.
  • Keep adjusting how you respond to children’s progress based on what you notice.

Te rere o te reo translates as ‘flow of language’, reflecting the mana of language sounds, words and gestures that flow from past to present, from generation to generation, person to person, carrying rich cultural meanings, histories, and knowledge.

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Learning language involves children’s growing ability to understand what is said to them and to use words, phrases, and sentences to communicate with others. It includes spoken and non-spoken forms of communication. 

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Understanding and using language is integral to all areas of Te Whāriki as each strand involves cognitive processes, communication and expression that rely on language. 

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Kōwhiti Whakapae is built on four foundations: Te Tiriti o Waitangi, identity, language and culture, inclusion, and the principles of Te Whāriki. Together, these guide teaching and learning about understanding and using language.

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