Te Whāriki is New Zealand's (first) national curriculum policy statement, released in 1996, and it is "a framework for providing tamariki/children's early learning and development within a sociocultural context.
The curriculum is founded on the following aspirations: for young children "to grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society."
The curriculum's purpose is to provide a consistent vision or framework for all ECE services in New Zealand. The document takes into account the future (how it may evolve) and how it can be applied to a range of different ECE settings and cultures. The document is divided into four sections. It is important. However, that is it read and used as an integrated whole. The principles, strands, and goals are common to all early childhood services. However, how they are put into practice may differ from service to service'.
Also important to the understanding of the curriculum is that both the English and Maori texts are meant to be read together - they parallel and complement each other, thus providing a basis for bicultural early childhood education in New Zealand.
The curriculum is envisaged as a whāriki, or mat, woven from the principles, strands and goals, which once again recognise the wide variety of services within New Zealand - in terms of their programmes, philosophies, structures, and environments, which will contribute to the distinctive or unique patterns of the whāriki.
For example:
cultural perspectives, such as in kòhanga reo or various Pacific Islands early childhood centres;
structural differences, such as in-sessional or full-day programmes;
organisational differences, such as in kindergartens or child care centres;
different environments, such as in home-based or centre-based programmes;
philosophical emphases, such as in Playcentre, Montessori, or Rudolf Steiner programmes;
different resources which are available in urban and rural settings;
how the local community participates;
the age range of children in the programme.
The Principles
Empowerment/Whakamana: The early childhood curriculum empowers the child to learn and grow/Mà te whàriki o te kòhanga reo e whakatò te kaha ki roto i te mokopuna, ki te ako, kia pakari ai tana tipu.
Holistic Development/Kotahitanga: The early childhood curriculum reflects the holistic way children learn and grow/Mà te whàriki o te kòhanga reo e whakaata te kotahitanga o ngà whakahaere katoa mò te ako a te mokopuna, mò te tipu o te mokopuna.
Family and Community/Whànau Tangata: The wider world of family and community is an integral part of the early childhood curriculum/Me whiri mai te whànau, te hapù, te iwi, me tauiwi, me ò ràtou wàhi nohonga, ki roto i te whàriki o te kòhanga reo, hei àwhina, hei tautoko i te akoranga, i te whakatipuranga o te mokopuna.
Relationships/Ngà Hononga: Children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things. Mà roto i ngà piringa, i ngà whakahaere i waenganui o te mokopuna me te katoa, e whakatò te kaha ki roto i te mokopuna ki te ako.
Strands and Goals
These arise from the principles and are essential areas of learning and development. Each strand has several goals.
Strand 1: Well-being – Mana Atua
The health and well-being of the child are protected and nurtured.
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
their health is promoted;
their emotional well-being is nurtured;
they are kept safe from harm.
Strand 2: Belonging – Mana Whenua
Children and their families feel a sense of belonging.
Goals
connecting links with the family and the wider world are affirmed and extended;
they know that they have a place;
they feel comfortable with the routines, customs, and regular events;
they know the limits and boundaries of acceptable behaviour.
Strand 3: Contribution – Mana Tangata
Learning opportunities are equitable, and each child’s contribution is valued.
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
there are equitable opportunities for learning, irrespective of gender, ability, age, ethnicity, or background;
they are affirmed as individuals;
they are encouraged to learn with and alongside others.
Strand 4: Communication – Mana Reo
The languages and symbols of their own and other cultures are promoted and protected.
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 and develop different ways to be creative and expressive.
Strand 5: Exploration – Mana Aotùroa
The child learns through active exploration of the environment.
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
their play is valued as meaningful learning, and the importance of spontaneous play is recognised;
they gain confidence in and control of their bodies;
they learn strategies for active exploration, thinking, and reasoning;
they develop working theories for making sense of the natural, social, physical, and material worlds.