The languages and symbols of children’s own and other cultures are promoted and protected.

Ko te whakatipuranga tēnei o te reo. Mā roto i tēnei ka tipu te mana tangata me te oranga nui.

Communication | Children are strong and effective communicators.

Mana reo | Through te reo Māori children’s identity, belonging, and wellbeing are enhanced.

Goals

Children experience an environment where:

• they develop non-verbal communication skills for a range of purposes
• they develop verbal communication skills for a range of purposes
• they experience the stories and symbols of their own and other cultures
• they discover different ways to be creative and expressive.

Learning outcomes

Over time and with guidance and encouragement, children become increasingly capable of:

• using gesture and movement to express themselves | he kōrero ā-tinana
• understanding oral language and using it for a range of purposes | he kōrero ā-waha
  • ‘Oral language’ encompasses any method of communication the child uses as a first language; this includes New Zealand Sign Language and, for children who are non-verbal, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC)
• enjoying hearing stories and retelling and creating them | he kōrero paki
  • For children who are deaf or hard of hearing, ‘hearing’ includes ‘watching’
• recognising print symbols and concepts and using them with enjoyment, meaning and purpose | he kōrero tuhituhi
• recognising mathematical symbols and concepts and using them with enjoyment, meaning and purpose | he kōrero pāngarau
• expressing their feelings and ideas using a range of materials and modes | he kōrero auaha.

The resources in this section support kaiako in weaving this strand into their local curriculum.