Within Play to Learn Early Learning Centre we believe that it is important for us to incorporate the Māori language and culture within our everyday environment.
Over the past few weeks we have been extending the Māori language through incorporating Te Reo Māori more through the verb song. This song is an action song which allows for the learning of Māori words that the children may already be familiar with in English.
While outside for mat-times we have been encouraging children to participate in this action song using dance and games. An example of a game that can be used to encourage the use and understanding of each Māori word is by asking the children to stand a little way from you, then asking them to pakipaki (clap) over to you or to e peke (jump)like a frog over to you.
By encouraging the words in the game we are then providing children with the tools needed to draw on the knowledge they have gained through participating in group experience!
Verb Song
Titiro- Look
Etu-Stand
E peke- Jump
E Oma- Run
Hitoki- Hop
A E I O U
E noho- Sit
E moe- Sleep
E hoho- Wake up
Paki paki- Clap
Korero- Talk
A E I O U
Over the past few weeks we have introduced two new songs Poi E and Kotahitanga into the environment.
The children at Play to Learn are absolutely loving it and are exploring new movements that can be done with the poi
We have also introduced linked sign language and Te Reo Māori with the colour song along with continuing with the action songs such as paki, paki.
We will continue with these aspects of Te Reo within the Play to Learn environment encouraging children to develop an understanding and respect of the Māori culture.
Over the next month we will also be providing children with the opportunity to partake in making poi.
Kotahitanga by Oceania
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
(Hi) (Au-e)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Mä te ko-tahi-tanga-a, (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe.
Te whakahï a iwi
Mei kore ake nei
E kore te tangata
E ora tonu i runga
I tënei ao
Rangatira, te tika
Maungarongo
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Mä te ko-tahi-tanga-a, (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Te whakahï a iwi
Mei kore ake nei
E kore te tangata
E ora tonu i runga
I tënei ao
Mä tö tätou mau tonu
Me te whakatü
I te kotahitanga
E tutuki ai ä tätou tohenga
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Mä te ko-tahi-tanga-a, (Hi)
E whai ka-ha ai ta-tou (Au-e)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Mä te ko-tahi-tanga-a, (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe.
I runga i ngä ngutu tangata
Ngä rongotoa e
Nänä i toko te kohara
Te tangata pono
Te ihi
Rangatira, te tika
Maungarongo
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Mä te ko-tahi-tanga-a, (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Mä te ko-tahi-tanga-a, (Hi)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Whaka-awe-awe-awe-e
Whaka-awe-awe-awe (Au-e)
Meaning:
Be inspired-inspired-inspired
Be inspired-inspired-inspired
In union . .
Be inspired-inspired-inspired
Be inspired-inspired-inspired
Be inspired-inspired-inspired
In union.
We have strength.
The pride of the people
is almost gone
People will not
Survive in this world
We must maintain
Solidarity and union
to achieve our goals.
Freedom, justice,
Peace.
Be inspired-inspired-inspired
(chant of pride)
On peoples’ lips
is the bravery (of our warriors).
Exciting the passions
of our people.
The power, the fear, the awe!
Ohhh, yeahhh!
Be inspired-inspired-inspired . .
