Animal book Activity
Reading animal books with tamariki can be a fun and interactive way to teach them about different creatures. It helps develop a positive attitude towards reading and learning. It’s a fun, simple activity that will promote early language learning.
Why do it?
- Small children find animals, and the noises animals make, interesting.
- Sharing a book about animals can be an interactive game when whānau make the animal noises for the toddler.
- Having fun when book sharing will help a toddler have a positive attitude towards books and reading.
How to do it
You'll need an animal book .
- Rent one from the library or get crafty and make your own paper or an old notebook.
- Make sure any staples are well taped over to avoid any sharp ends piercing skin.
- Cut animal pictures from old magazines or draw them yourself.
- When sharing the animal book with a toddler, make the noises each animal makes.
- After plenty of repetitions, see if the toddler can make the animal sounds. However, don’t make it a test if they’re unsure — just answer the question yourself.
- Keep the activity playful and fun.
Using more te reo Māori
| Te reo Māori | English |
|---|---|
| Ngā kararehe | Animals |
| Pukapuka | Book |
| Ngēru | Cat |
| Kurī | Dog |
| Kau | Cow |
| Poaka | Pig |
| Manu | Bird |
| Hōiho | Horse |
| Kiore | Mouse |
| Karoro | Seagull |
| Tuatara | Tuatara |
| Taika | Tiger |
| Raiona | Lion |
| Tuahuru | Hair, shaggy |
| E rua ngā waewae | Two legs |
| E whā ngā waewae | Four legs |
| Tūpeketia | To jump or leap |
| He aha te tangi o tēnei kararehe? | What noise does this animal make? |
| Whakatau | Bark like a dog |
| Koekoe | Squeak or squawk like a bird or animal |
| He aha tāna kai o tēnei kararehe? | What does this animal eat? |
| He pai ki ā koe te pānui pukapuka? | Do you like to read books? |
