then this will help children practice and consolidate their developing language skills. Providing a language-rich environment that is enjoyable, meaningful, and places importance on oral language is essential for young children’s language development overall. To this end, kaiako can draw on all of their creativity and use the arts, science, maths, drama, dance, music, i.e. all the different ways of communication. Kaiako are also important role models; children will notice whether their teachers take delight in storytelling, show appreciation for complex language and have an interest in all the different ways humans are able to communicate. Many kaiako are learners of te reo Māori and / or sign language themselves, thereby showing children that learning other languages and about other cultures and identities is something positive and enjoyable. If you are not confident in using te reo Māori (yet), try to adopt a growth mindset, start small and remember why language is so important: it connects us. There are many ways teachers in early childhood education show responsiveness and interest in the diverse languages children bring with them to early childhood services. Realistically, it is neither possible nor necessary to be fluent in numerous languages but it is possible to place value on the language and culture of each child. Reflecting and using the child’s language and culture in the learning environment is only one of the practical means to support a sense of belonging, with Te Whāriki About the author Katina Beauchamp is an Early Years (0-8) teacher, with a background and special interest in language, literacy, and additional languages. Her position as education specialist with the ECC involves policy advice and research, as well as designing education content and delivering relevant information to ECE professionals throughout New Zealand. Sources: Ministry of Education (2021). Language Use in ECE. Education Counts. www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/ language-use-in-ece Ministry of Education (2017) Te Whāriki. He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa. Early Childhood Curriculum. NZ Statistics (2018). Language. www.stats.govt.nz/topics/language Pinker, S. (1994)/ The Language Instinct. Penguin Group. Australia. offering further examples of practices, particularly under the Strands ‘Belonging’ and ‘Communication’. LIMITED SPACES. DO NOT MISS OUT! Child Protection in ECE Early Literacy in ECE Inquiries, Assessment, SelfReview, Internal and External Evaluation in ECE Ngā Paerewa / the Standards for the Teaching Profession in ECE Practice Physical Health & Movement in ECE Professional Growth Cycle Te Ara Poutama – Teachers and the Quality Indicators The Role of Learning Stories in Assessment, Planning and Evaluation Transition and Continuity of Learning in ECE Your Local Curriculum “What Matters Here” TEACHER ONLINE WORKSHOPS For information and bookings visit www.ecc.org.nz/events Cost - $65 +gst exclusive Member rate; $95+gst non-member March 2022 { 27 }
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