Box sculpture – Whakairo pouaka
Empty cartons, rolls and containers can be used to encourage creativity, problem-solving, perseverance and coordination in tamariki. When whānau join in or encourage the construction, language and self-esteem are both supported.
Why do it?
By constructing sculptures from boxes, tamariki can:
- be creative and resourceful using everyday household items
- have an opportunity to solve problems.
How to do it
- Choose a suitable space where it’s okay to make a bit of a mess.
- Collect some empty containers, boxes and cardboard tubes of different shapes and sizes.
- Get tape and glue for sticking the boxes and containers together, and scissors for cutting things to shape.
- Coloured paper or card, pipe cleaners and string can also be useful.
- Ask your tamaiti open-ended questions such as ‘What do you want to make?’ and, ‘How could you make a ...?’
- Offer support with suggestions like, ‘What would happen if you...?’ or ‘How can you decorate your ...?’
- Remember, the process of ‘doing’ is what matters most, not the finished product.
- Ideas for things to create could be: houses, wharenui , waka , ships, rockets, robots, spaceships, garages, animals or people.
pdf 13 MB
Using more te reo Māori
| Te reo Māori | English |
|---|---|
| Ipu | Container |
| Pouaka | Box |
| Nunui | Really big |
| Iti rawa | Really small |
| Roa rawa | Longer |
| Poto iho | Shorter |
| Taupoki | Lid |
| Ngongo | Tube |
| Kaipuke | Ship |
| Karāti | Garage |
| Tākirirangi | Rocket |
| Waka ātea | Spacecraft |
| Kararehe | Animal |
| Karetao | Robot |
