
Balancing daily activities using Tākai resources
Tākai resources you can use with whānau to explore how planning the day helps create a sense of security.
Planning the day can help give parents and their child a sense of security and wellbeing. Knowing what’s coming next also helps everyone feel prepared.
Tākai resources
In the Whakatipu booklet Te Pihinga 3 in ‘Ngā tohu whānau, A structured and secure world’ on page 23, we’re reminded to ‘Balance daily activities so there’s a mixture of quiet and active times.’
Here are some other helpful places in Te Pihinga 3 to explore with whānau:
- Page 3 – ‘Pēpi says: I’ll be moving freely, maybe crawling, pulling myself to stand, walking holding on to things — furniture, people! Or I might be walking without help.’
- Page 5 – ‘Whānau say: We make sure sturdy and safe surfaces are clear for him to pull himself up to and stand at, and we help him walk or “cruise” along.’
- Page 6 – ‘Whānau say: She likes to practise new motor skills too, over and over and over again!’
- Page 16 – ‘Pēpi says: My whānau know that playing and lots of love is exactly what my brain and wairua need.’
- Page 17 – ‘Whānau say: We try and make playing together a regular part of every day.’
In the Tākai booklet Thinking about Parenting on page 8, we’re also reminded that planning the day ahead can help avoid problems before they start: ‘Balance the day so kids get a mixture of activity, rest, time with others, time alone, and some time with you.’
Conversation starters
Ask the whānau:
- How does this match with what’s going on in your whānau at the moment?
- What changes have you noticed in your toddler’s behaviour?
- Why do you think that’s happening?
- How has this affected things for your whānau?
- Can you tell me about the things you feel happy about with your toddler?
- How about the challenges?
- What would help you to balance the days better?
- What else would you like to talk about?
- What more would you like to find out about?