
Unwrapping Activity
Why do it?
- This game exercises baby’s curiosity and fine motor skills, while strengthening the concept of ‘object permanence’.
- It’s also a time when whānau and baby can share attention, it’s fun — and might be practice for unwrapping first birthday presents!
How to do it
- Gather some paper or cloths for wrapping.
- Find some items to wrap.
- Let baby watch as you loosely wrap the object.
- Give the parcel to baby and invite them to unwrap it.
- They may need some help or encouraging words to get started. “Ooo what have you got there?”
- Repeat the game with different wrappings and different objects.
- Give baby a clap when they succeed.
Using more te reo Māori
Pārekareka | Enjoyable, fun |
Māhirahira | Curious |
Rapu(hia) | Find, discover |
Whakaoti rapanga | Problem solving |
Kite(a) | Hunt, investigate |
Arohia | Paying attention to, interested in |
Tapanga | Naming, label |
Tauparaparahia | To play together |
Pūheratia | To parcel up |
Rurukutia | Wrap |
Pepa | Paper |
Hurahia | Uncover |
Papanga | Material, fabric |
Kimihia | Look for |
Whakahahakitia | Point out, draw attention to |
He aha tēnā? | What's that? (near you) |
He aha ki roto? | What's in there? |
Pakipaki | Clapping |
Whāngai kupu | Prompting |
Umeretia | Cheer, applaud |
Ka pai koe | Well done you |
Me mahi pēnei | Do it like this |
Ano? | Again? |
Kātahi nā te pēpi mōhio, ko koe | What a clever baby you are |
E reretahi ana te karu me te ringa | The eye and the hand are coordinated |
Mā te whakaharatau e tika ai | Practice makes perfect |