Giftedness from a Samoan perspective

This video explores the following questions: 

• From a Samoan perspective, when you think about giftedness, what Samoan words/concepts come to mind? 
• When you think about young children, how do you see those concepts be lived/reflected/played out? 

This video looks at how giftedness is nurtured from a Samoan context. 

The following content summarises key points from the two videos. It offers insights for kaiako on engaging Samoan children and their āiga (families) to support giftedness from a Samoan perspective, as outlined below.

Respect and care for the uniqueness of each child

• Treat each child as gifted and talented (ua maea ona faaoloaina), worthy of the best possible care and educational experiences. 
• Maintain a perspective that all children are treated fairly, but it is important that the approach used is responsive to the strengths and needs of each child at the right time. 

Every child is a blessing

• Every child has been blessed by Atua (God/deity), their parents and ancestors. 
• Recognise the talents and skills that children bring with them to aoga amata (Samoan early learning setting). 
• Embed cultural practices and values into the curriculum and daily learning experiences. 
• Embed agatausili such as alofa, faaaloalo, tautua as core components of teaching and learning. 

Cultural enrichment

• Children come to the centres with cultural knowledge and practices from their āiga and communities, which should be acknowledged and integrated into the learning environment. 
• When a child is born, he/she already has a faalupega. The child has roles and responsibilities. The child belongs to a family/families. He/she belongs. 
• The role of kaiako extends to working closely with parents, grandparents, āiga and other community members to support the child’s learning. 

Affirmation of belonging

• Create opportunities that provide affirmations of belonging, as opposed to “a sense of belonging”. 
• It is critical that what is happening at home is consistent with what is happening at our aoga amata. The child needs to live through the values of love, respect, and service as part of their aoga amata experience. 

Faiva and tagata

• Utilise these Samoan concepts of faiva (which denotes the mastery of skills and competencies, e.g. Alo i ou faiva, Manuia ou faiva (best wishes for the tasks ahead), and Tagata (the whole person) knowledge, skills, and experiences to create meaningful and relevant learning opportunities for children. 
• Continuously seek to expand your own knowledge and skills to better serve the strengths of children’s talents and giftedness. 

Tofāmanino – Samoan indigenous knowledge, philosophy and wisdom

• Reflect on how a Western lens of gifted and talented may differ from Samoan perspectives of gifted and talented. 
• Seek relevant support to strengthen your aoga’s tofāmanino in relation to teaching and learning in Aotearoa New Zealand. O le ā le tofā manino a le tou aoga i le aoaoina o alo ma fanau i Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Embed faalupega in the curriculum

• Incorporate children’s faalupega (salutation or set of acknowledgements used to address representatives of a nu’u or family at a formal gathering in their portfolios) as critical parts of their learning and teaching programme. 
• Include faalupega into children’s speaking, writing or presentations.
• What is the child’s name?
• What is the meaning of the child's name?  
• Which villages do their parents come from? 

Cultural awareness and inclusion

• Weave Samoan cultural practices into daily routines to connect with children’s interests. 
• Actively observe and listen to children’s play to identify their interests and talents.

Intentional teaching

• Intentionally incorporate Samoan games, songs and cultural practices to children’s daily experiences. 
• Reflect on and adapt teaching approaches to nurture children’s gifts and talents within a cultural framework. 

• How does your aoga amata cater to gifted and talented children?  
• How are western lenses on gifted and talented different from Samoan perspectives? 
• How is Samoan culture, language and spirituality embedded in your aoga amata philosophy and vision? 
• What does the quote “O le tamaititi ua faaoloaina i le toto mai le tumuai e tau i lalo i ona vae” mean? 

Below are key concepts that express giftedness from a Samoan perspective:

• Faamalama o le faatufugaga – the Samoan worldview(s)  
• Faaoloaina – giftedness and talented 
• Faiva – the mastery of skills and competencies 
• Tagata – refers to the whole child or person in aoga amata settings 
• Affirmation of belonging – a strong affirmation of who they are 
• Toto – blood, ancestral ties, connections and relationships 
• Tapuaiga – prayers or worship (spiritual devotion/practice) 
• Agatausili – values such as alofa (love), faaaloalo (respect), tautua (service) 
• Faalupega – salutation or set of acknowledgements used to address representatives of a nu’u or family at a formal gathering 
• Matatioata – lens through which we see things 
• Amanaia – showing respect to someone or taking someone’s ideas or practices into account 
• Mana – power, authority or prestige associated with people or objects 
• Feagaiga – sacred relationship between a boy and girl 
• Suli – a member of one’s family or extended family.