Unwrapping | Tākai

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!

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.

Te reo Māori	English
Pārekareka	Enjoyable, fun
Māhirahira	Curious
Rapu	Hunt, investigate
Whakaoti rapanga	Problem solving
Kite(a)	Find, discover
Aro	Notice, pay attention to
Tapanga	Naming, label
Tauparapara	To play together
Pūheratia	To parcel up
Tākai	Wrap
Pepa	Paper
Hurahia	Uncover
Papanga	Material, fabric
Kimihia	Look for, search
Whakahahakitia	Point out, draw attention to
He aha tēnā I te taha ia koe?	What’s that by you?
He aha ki roto?	What's in there?
Pakipaki	Clap
Whāngai kupu	Prompting
Umere(tia)	Applaud, cheer
Ka pai koe	Well done you
Me mahi pēnei	Do it like this
Anō	Do it again
Kātahi te pēpi mōhio, ko koe	What a clever baby you are
E reretahi ana te karu mē te ringa	The eye and the hand are coordinated
Mā te whakaharatau e tika ai	Practice makes perfect