
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 |