Mana tangata | Contribution - Key ideas

Warm and responsive relationships are fundamental to children’s development. From birth mokopuna begin the process of establishing connections with others. Through relationships, they learn how to understand, communicate, express emotions and develop social skills. 

Kaiako play an important role in helping children initiate and maintain relationships. Warm and responsive kaiako relationships with mokopuna support mokopuna to stand proud and firm (tū tangata). This relationship building process is expressed in the contribution strand of Te Whāriki, where mokopuna learn with and alongside others.

Over time, and with guidance, mokopuna can begin to understand another’s perspective, empathise, seek help and view themselves as a support to others. The essence of the learning outcome Te ngākau aroha comes to life as mokopuna engage in play and learning experiences with their peers.

Equity means fairness and social justice for all mokopuna, regardless of their background, gender, ethnicity, culture, abilities, or circumstances. It means that every mokopuna has the right to access high-quality early childhood education and care, can participate fully and have positive learning outcomes. It is the responsibility of all kaiako to champion equitable opportunities while countering actions or comments that categorise, stereotype, or exclude others.

Kaiako can support mokopuna to accept and value diversity and have the confidence to stand up for themselves and others against biased ideas and discriminatory behaviour. Mokopuna can be helped to understand other people’s attitudes and feelings in a variety of contexts, for example, in play, conversations and stories. Kaiako can talk about differences in people, places and things and provide opportunities to talk about them with mokopuna.

When mokopuna are encouraged to participate in real and meaningful ways, they develop the awareness, capabilities, and skills to collaborate with others and contribute to the group. Kaiako can acknowledge and support the unique strengths and interests each mokopuna brings, building confidence that their contribution is valued.

Within the contribution strand of Te Whāriki, there is a strong emphasis on working together for the common good. A collaborative approach fosters a sense of sharing, togetherness, and reciprocity. This holds significant value for Māori, Pacific and many other cultures. It gives mokopuna a sense of responsibility and respect for the needs and wellbeing of the group, including the ability to take responsibility for group decisions.

Children’s rights recognise that, from infancy, children have their own thoughts, preferences, and agency. Kaiako uphold and protect children’s rights from the earliest ages, by getting to know each mokopuna well and providing responsive and personalised care that ensures their dignity and wellbeing is protected.

Bringing the mana tangata | contribution strand to life should start with the needs, interests, temperaments, preferences and abilities of mokopuna. This supports the right of all mokopuna to participate and contribute fully to their early learning setting and increasingly to the wider world.

Kaiako can reflect on how they support meaningful, genuine participation and contribution for everyone in their setting. This will look different for each child.

Kaiako intentionally scaffold the learning outcome, te rangatiratanga, where mokopuna recognise and appreciate their own ability to learn and to recognise their own achievements, unique strengths and passions. They support mokopuna in the process of learning to learn, to develop strategies such as problem-solving, planning and self-assessment as well as making links between their past, present and future.

Each early learning setting values, recognises and responds to the gifts, strengths and talents each mokopuna brings with them, supporting them to make their unique contribution to their world. Kaiako observe and value mokopuna as individuals, while also understanding the place mokopuna have within their whānau and community.