More action songs Activity
Why do it?
- Young children and whānau enjoy sharing songs together.
- Waiata and rhymes are great for building a child’s memory and confidence.
- Experiences with rhythm and rhyme help promote language development.
- Singing and using actions at the same time is a complex activity and involves different parts of the brain. This means rich learning happens when children are enjoying waiata-a-ringa (action songs).
- Singing is fun.
How to do it
Look through the Whakatipu booklets for waiata to enjoy.
- Te Kōhuri 3, page 21 — Haere, haere, hikoi haere
- Te Kōhuri 2, page 9 — Mā is white
- Te Kōhuri 2, page 21 — Tahi is one
- Te Pihinga 1, page 33 — Mēnā harikoa koe
Search for these other songs from the collection of rhymes and songs on this website. Follow the actions or make up your own.
- Here is the beehive
- Ring around the rosy
- Three little monkeys
- Row row row your boat
- Sa-vali-valiI
- I’m a little teapot
- If you’re happy
- Humpty dumpt
Using more te reo Māori
| Te reo Māori | English |
|---|---|
| Waiata mai | Sing to me |
| Whakarongo mai | Listen to me |
| Ūngeri | Rhythm |
| Kanikani | Dance |
| Pakipaki | Clap |
| Hurihuri | Turn around |
| Takahi | To stamp your foot |
| Waiata ā-ringa | Action songs |
| E oma | Run |
| E noho | Sit |
| E peke | Jump |
| E huri | Turn |
| E piu | Skip |
| Titiro | Look |
| E tū | Stand up |
| E kata | Laugh |
| Huri atu | Turn away |
| Huri mai | Turn to me |
| Ngahau | Entertainment, dance |
| Rēhia | Pleasure, amusement |
