TE WHAARIKI EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM
At Sand Dunes Early Learning Centre we use the New Zealand National Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whaariki.
The curriculum is founded on the following aspirations for children “to grow up as confident and competent learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in the sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.” (Te Whariki, 1996, Ministry of Education)
Te Whaariki is based on Four Principals:
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Empowerment – Early Childhood Care and Education services assist children and their families to develop independence and to access the resources necessary to enable them to direct their own lives.
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Holistic Development – Cognitive, social, cultural, physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of human development are integrally interwoven.
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Family & Community – Children’s learning and development are fostered if the well-being of their family and community is supported; if their family, culture, knowledge and community are respected; and if there is a strong connection and consistency among all the aspects of the child’s world.
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Relationships – Interaction provides a rich social world for children to learn by trying out their ideas with adults and other children.
From these Principals, there are Five Strands:
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Well being (Mana Atua) – The health and well-being of the child are protected and nurtured.
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Belonging (Mana Whenua) – Children and their families feel a sense of belonging.
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Contribution (Mana Tangata) – Opportunities for learning are equitable and each child’s contribution is valued.
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Communication (Mana Reo) – The languages and symbols of their own and other cultures are promoted and protected.
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Exploration (Mana Aoturoa.) – The child learns through active exploration of the environment.
The Principals and the Strands together form the framework for the Curriculum.
Each Strand has several goals. Learning Outcomes have been developed for each goal.
We plan individual learning programmes for each child using the Te Whaariki framework.
Parents will be informed and involved in this process. Each programme plan will be evaluated and assessed against the Te Whaariki Curriculum.