Towards the end of this time in baby’s development, they can sit up with some support — say between their parent’s legs — freeing both their hands for exploring objects.
This is a perfect time for sharing attention with baby, which strengthens the relationship between them and whānau.
Baby is now able to choose something from the treasure box for themselves.
Baby will hear the words that match their actions and what they’re focusing on, building their understanding of language.
How to do it
Sitting between a grownup’s legs is ideal for doing this activity.
Get a container (bowl, box, pottle, basket, rourou) and put 2–3 objects in it (for example, a little ball, something safe from a kitchen drawer and something natural).
Let baby explore in their own way. Use parallel talk to describe what baby’s looking at and what they’re doing — for example, ‘Ball, you’ve got the ball!’ and ‘Spoon, you’re banging the spoon!’
Baby will notice the tone of voice grownups use when talking about the basket of ‘treasures’, and from that will decide how interesting the items are.
Parents can take their cue from baby about when they’re ready for new objects to explore, and then change the objects for new ones.
Using more te reo Māori
Te reo Māori
English
Noho
noho
To sit, stay, remain, settle, dwell, live, inhabit, reside, occupy, locatedMaori | Verb
Sit
Pā
pā
Fortified village, fort, stockade, screen, blockade, city (especially a fortified one).Maori | Noun
Fort
Tohu
tohu
To point out, show, indicate, point at, gesticulateMaori | Verb
Point
Torohē
torohē
To examine, exploreMaori | Verb
To examine, explore
Ringaringa
ringaringa
Hand, armMaori | Noun
Hands
Waha
waha
Mouth, entrance, gate, opening, inlet, outlet – anything that is like a mouthMaori | Noun
Mouth
Matimati
matimati
FingerMaori | Noun
Finger
Karu
karu
EyeMaori | Noun
Eye
Ngutu
ngutu
LipMaori | Noun
Lip
Kete
kete
Basket, kitMaori | Noun
Basket
Rourou
rourou
Small flax plaited food basketMaori | Noun
Plaited food basket
Ipu
ipu
Container, bowl, vessel, calabash, urn, vase, mug - vessel for holding anything, but especially liquids.Maori | Noun
Container
Pouaka
pouaka
BoxMaori | Noun
Box
Titiro mai, he aha tēnei?
Look here, what’s this?
Ngā taputapu tākaro
Play things
Taonga tākaro
taonga tākaro
ToyMaori | Noun
Toy
E hiakai ana koe?
Are you hungry?
Rongo
rongo
To hear, feel, smell, taste, perceive - used for all the senses except sightMaori | Experience verb
Hear
Hongi
hongi
To smell, sniffMaori | Verb
To smell
Mitimiti
mitimiti
To lick, lick up, lap upMaori | Verb
To lick
Ngau
ngau
To bite, gnaw, chew, hurt, itchMaori | Verb