Te Whāriki – The Early Childhood Curriculum Explained

If you’ve ever heard your child’s teacher mention Te Whāriki and wondered, “What does that actually mean?”—you’re not alone! At Te Ōki Early Learning, Te Whāriki is the guiding framework behind everything we do with tamariki. It’s the heart of our teaching, and it helps us create warm, meaningful learning experiences for your child.

But don’t worry—it’s not full of complicated language or checklists. Te Whāriki is a beautifully woven curriculum that recognises what we already know as parents and kaiako: children learn best when they feel safe, connected, curious, and empowered to explore the world around them.

What is Te Whāriki?

Te Whāriki means “woven mat” in te reo Māori. That image—a mat woven from different strands—captures the essence of this curriculum. Every child brings their own unique background, culture, interests, and strengths, and Te Whāriki supports us to weave all of that into their learning journey.

At Te Ōki Early Learning, we use Te Whāriki to plan, reflect, and adapt to each child’s needs. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach—instead, it gives us the flexibility to support children in ways that feel right for them and their whānau.

The Four Big Ideas (aka Principles)

Te Whāriki is built on four big ideas—or principles—that shape how we think about learning in the early years:

1. Empowerment (Whakamana)We want your child to feel confident, capable, and valued. That’s why we give them plenty of opportunities to make choices, take the lead, and learn through real, hands-on experiences.

2. Holistic Development (Kotahitanga)Children don’t learn in compartments—everything is connected! We support their physical, emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive development all at once, through play and everyday interactions.

3. Family and Community (Whānau Tangata)We know that parents and families are a huge part of a child’s learning. We love working alongside you, sharing stories, celebrating milestones, and learning together.

4. Relationships (Ngā Hononga)At the heart of everything is connection—between children, teachers, families, and the wider world. Strong, respectful relationships are the foundation for great learning.

   
   

The Five Strands (What Children Learn)

Te Whāriki weaves together five key strands that describe what tamariki learn through their everyday experiences. Here’s what that looks like in action:

1. Wellbeing | Mana Atua We want every child to feel safe, loved, and secure. At Te Ōki, this means building warm relationships with each child, listening to their needs, and creating routines that help them feel calm and confident. Whether it's helping them settle in the morning or supporting them through big feelings, we prioritise their emotional and physical wellbeing.

2. Belonging | Mana Whenua Feeling like you truly belong makes all the difference. We welcome children and their whānau into our centre with open arms. We learn about each family's culture, language, and traditions—and we celebrate them. From learning greetings in different languages to sharing whānau stories, we help every child feel proud of who they are and where they come from.

3. Contribution | Mana Tangata Children have so much to offer, and we make sure they know it! At Te Ōki, children are encouraged to share their ideas, help each other, and take part in group decisions. This might look like a child helping a friend tie their shoe, leading a tidy-up song, or suggesting what we should bake for morning tea.

4. Communication | Mana Reo Language is more than just talking—it's how we connect. We support children to express themselves through words, gestures, music, movement, storytelling, and art. We weave te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language into our daily routines and love listening to the stories children share through play.

5. Exploration | Mana Aotūroa Children are natural explorers, and we give them space and time to follow their curiosity. Whether they’re building with blocks, making potions in the garden, or investigating bugs with a magnifying glass, they're developing critical thinking, creativity, and confidence in the process.

Te Whāriki in Everyday Life at Te Ōki

Te Whāriki isn't something we pull out once in a while—it's woven into everything we do. From the way we greet your child in the morning to how we respond to their interests and support their growth, this curriculum helps guide every decision we make.

Next time you're in the centre, take a look around. You'll see children making choices, solving problems, helping friends, and expressing themselves in all kinds of ways. That's Te Whāriki in action.

How You Can Support Te Whāriki at Home

You don’t need to be a teacher to support your child’s learning! Here are a few simple ways to bring Te Whāriki into your home life:

• Talk and Listen: Share stories, ask questions, and encourage your child to talk about their day.

• Celebrate Culture: Share your family traditions, songs, and language with your child (and with us!).

• Encourage Independence: Let your child try new things, make choices, and solve little problems on their own.

• Play Together: Join your child in their world of play—it’s where the best learning happens!

  
  

In a Nutshell

Te Whāriki is all about helping your child grow into a confident, connected, and curious learner. It values who they are, where they come from, and where they're going. And at Te Ōki Early Learning, we feel so lucky to be a part of that journey with you.