Four-year-old Tuli is an only child and lives with her mother and father. Tuli started attending the centre one month ago and this is the first early childhood centre she has attended. While Tuli is now familiar with the kaiako and the daily routines of her centre, she continues to look to kaiako for guidance and reassurance. With several children starting at the centre over the last few months, kaiako decided to draw on the Agency & Adapability sub-area of Kōwhiti Whakapae: Social & Emotional to review and revitalise their practices, and strengthen their implementation of the Te Whāriki goals of Mana atua |Wellbeing, Mana whenua | Belonging, and Mana tangata | Contribution.

From their review, kaiako found they had many areas of strength. But they also identified further areas for development, such as how they support children to adapt to the expectations and customs of the centre, including participating in everyday routines and ‘ways of doing things here’. They also felt they could do more to build children’s sense of agency including making choices and following through, taking on challenges, being willing to try and learn through trial and error. Drawing on Kōwhiti Whakapae: Agency and Adaptability ‘lay the groundwork’ practices, kaiako have been implementing the following plan to support children’s learning in this area:

• Offer choices that are genuine and authentic.
• Be explicit with children about centre rules and expectations – e.g., talking about these at group times, gently explaining and reminding children of what to do at other times. 
• Recognise and celebrate children’s positive contributions including when taking responsibility for themselves, others and things.
• Talk with children about how we all learn, including trying new things, taking risks, challenges, making mistakes and trying again, and feelings of fear and disappointment.
• Provide children with positive and specific feedback about of their strengths and achievements.

The learning notes are from Tuli’s learning portfolio and document her progress over a three-month period. As you read, you can see links to Te Whāriki and the Agency and Adaptability sub-area of Kōwhiti Whakapae: Social & Emotional.