The joy of finding parallels – Steiner philosophy and te ao Māori 

A way to deepen understanding of Te Whāriki is to explore the synergies between the curriculum and a service’s existing purpose or philosophy. For example, Māori and Steiner world views each propose a unique understanding of the world specific to their culture. There are, however, some clear similarities between them. Both world views have a profound respect for what the child brings and who the child is - the mana of the child. Both also have a strong oral storytelling tradition. 

At Christchurch Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten, kaiako are undertaking an internal evaluation of their commitment to honouring the bicultural nature of the curriculum. This evaluation has highlighted to kaiako that they could enhance their practice further.  

As part of this process, kaiako have drawn on kaupapa Māori theory in Te Whāriki as a starting point for increasing their knowledge and reviewing ways to strengthen this aspect of their curriculum. 

Kaiako know that their regular use of well-known stories and pakiwaitara (ancient stories) that they have told and recreated over the years has promoted te reo Māori and aspects of tikanga learning well. However, through following a process of internal evaluation, kaiako became aware of ways they could be extending this rich oral storytelling tradition by adding more local, place-based stories to their repertoire. They have gained knowledge of these through attendance at Early Years Community Cluster meetings and by using the Ngāi Tahu Atlas, a resource of place names, history, and stories. 

This has led them to prioritise the following actions: 

• investigating the story behind how the school came to be named “Te Ara Korowai” (cloak around the school), who gave this name, and why 
• telling a story of how the creatures of the awa lived during walks with tamariki 
• creating stories in the Steiner tradition, for example, with felt puppets and mats that are built around the people and creatures who once lived in the local area 
• adding these local stories to tamariki “Journey Books”, which travel between home and centre, so parents/whānau benefit and contribute as well. 

When it comes to evaluating the impact of their actions, kaiako will look for: 

• more reenactment of local stories through the drawings and artwork initiated by children 
• references to local stories in children’s everyday conversations 
• whānau enthusiasm about the focus on local curriculum. 

Representing and respecting elements of both kaupapa Māori and Steiner fairytales is bringing challenge, joy, satisfaction, and learning for kaiako.