He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
We have been very fortunate to have been able to connect with Paul and Stephanie from our Lifewise Housing First team. They have started to visit each week, to share their waiata (songs) and Te Reo Maori (Maori language). This is a beautiful taonga (gift) of knowledge and experience.
In our Lifewise ECE centres, we have a commitment to Biculturalism in New Zealand, recognising and celebrating our indigenous culture, through waiata, and Te Reo (language).
We know that best way to learn is by doing – to share knowledge through people and experiences. Through our connection with each other, we are making our learning meaningful, and real. Now that we have an experiences to recall, learning is more embedded in our brain and in our hearts.
As well as learning new songs and meeting new Lifewise whanau, the children have been able to share their knowledge, and have also taught Paul and Steph some new waiata too. We are learning from each other and with each other. This is the beautiful concept of Ako.
We are strengthening and extending the connections can the children make in their own community and wider world, and the importance place they hold.
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tangata
— Written by Alison Render, ECE Centre Manager
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