
Water play outdoors – Tākaro wai ki te taiao Activity
Water play promotes curiosity, language acquisition, fine and gross motor development, communication skills and eye-hand coordination. As tamariki explore outdoors they learn about science and maths and their connection to the world is strengthened.
Why do it?
Playing with and in water is a great way for tamariki to:
- participate safely in an activity that can be enjoyed in a variety of places by a range of whānau members of different ages
- enjoy being outside with whānau at the beach, river or lake, which is sure to be a rich sensory experience that they will remember vividly
- participate in and learn about traditional practices with whānau
- strengthen language by expanding vocabulary, asking and answering questions, and sharing and discussing ideas
- build their physical fitness and strength at the same time as their skills and confidence.
How to do it
- Ensure tamariki are always safe when playing near or with water, through careful supervision.
- Involve tamariki in the whānau tikanga for the moana , awa and ngahere , especially where safety is concerned.
- Talk about what tamariki show an interest in and what you are both doing together.
- Explore rock pools and talk about the different children of Tangaroa who live there.
- Paddle in the shallow waters at the beach, chasing the waves in and running away from them as they return again.
- Build sand banks to create small pools or to direct the flow of the water. Float or race sticks or seaweed along your water track.
- Show tamariki how to skim stones across the surface of the water.
- Help tamariki develop their rich language by using open-ended questions that start with ‘what’, ‘who’, ‘where’, ‘why’ and ‘how’.
Using more reo Māori
Te reo Māori | English |
---|---|
Tātahi | Beach |
Tai | Tide |
Ngaru | Wave |
Kōhatu | Stone |
Mākohakoha | Smooth |
Taratara | Rough |
Kirikiri | Sand |
Karoro | Seagull |
Angaanga | Shell |
Kai moana | Sea food |
Ika | Fish |
Pātangaroa | Starfish |
Rimurimu | Seaweed |
Kina | Sea egg |
Pāpaka | Crabs |
Mātaitai | Salty |
E haere ana mātou ki te tātahi ki te kohi kai moana | We’re going to the beach to get seafood |
Nāku i kite ētahi angaanga | I found some shells |
Awa | River |
Ākau | Stream |
Manga | Creek |
Hōpua | Pool |
Taha | Side |
Māniania | Slippery |
Whakaretiretitia | To slide, slide down |
Pāpaku | Low |
E noho ki roto i te wai pāpaku | Stay in shallow water |