PRINCIPLES

Question 1

What are the four fundamental principles that underpin Te Whāriki?

Answer 1

1. Empowerment | Whakamana: Early childhood curriculum
   empowers the child to learn
   and grow.
2. Holistic Development | Kotahitanga: Early childhood curriculum
   reflects the holistic way
   children learn and grow.
3. Family and Community | Whānau tangata: The wider world of family
   and community is an
   integral part of early
   childhood curriculum.
4. Relationships | Ngā hononga: Children learn through
   responsive and reciprocal
   relationships with people,
   places and things.

Question 2

What is the importance of the first principle: Empowerment | Whakamana?

Answer 2

Every child should experience an empowering curriculum that recognises and enhances their mana and supports them to enhance the mana of others.

Question 3

What are the different dimensions of human development which need to be viewed holistically according to the second principle: Holistic development | Kotahitanga?

Answer 3

Cognitive (hinengaro) 
Physical (tinana) 
Emotional (whatumanawa)
Spiritual (wairua)
Social 
Cultural

Question 4

What is the importance of the third principle: Family and community | Whānau tangata in early childhood curriculum?

Answer 4

The well-being of each child is interdependent with the well-being of their kaiako, parents, and whānau. Children learn and develop best when their culture, and community are affirmed and when people in their lives help them to make connections across these settings.

Question 5

Why is the fourth principle: Relationships | Ngā hononga important in early childhood curriculum?

Answer 5

It is through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places and things that children have opportunities to try out their ideas and refine their working theories.