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Haumaru – Keeping children safe

Pēpi will explore almost everything – this is part of their development and how they learn. Keeping them safe while they grow and develop is paramount.

Within the context of Āhuru Mōwai Āhuru Mōwai Calm place, sheltered haven Maori | Noun , this kaupapa acknowledges every child’s right to be nurtured and cared for. This concept also means that every child will also learn to respect the right of others to be nurtured and cared for.

Taumauri – Mana atua

The underlying philosophy of this wānanga is based on Āhuru Mōwai principle ‘mana atua’ – the health and wellbeing of the child is protected and nurtured.

Aroha and tiaki

Learn and use the words aroha (love) and and tiaki tiaki To guard, keep Maori | Verb (caring) to embrace the kaupapa of this wānanga wānanga To meet and discuss Maori | Verb .

Whakatuwhera whakatuwhera To open Maori | Verb , whakatau whakatau To decide, settle, prepare, determine, arbitrate, adjudicate Maori | Verb , mihimihi

Welcome whānau as they arrive. Praise them for turning up and for the commitment they’ve made to being positive parents for their pēpi and whānau. Have drinks, refreshments and comfortable seating arranged for the whānau. Provide a parent- and child-friendly venue.

Open with a karakia and a waiata, your own or see the ones provided.

Give an overview. Emphasise that this hui will centre on the importance of:

• safety in the home
• safe sleeping
• safety in the car
• development phases
• safety around people.

Share information about general ways to keep pēpi safe. Include safety around people and stranger anxiety.

Discuss safety in the home and ask whānau to share what safety needs are relevant for the age of their pēpi. Ask whānau to feedback at the next hui the things they have done since to ensure their home is child-safe.

Depending on the size of the group, discuss the following topics in pairs, small groups or in the full group:

• safety of toys
• safety around water and in outside environments
• the harm that smoking around babies can do to them
• safety proofing the house for a walking child
• the responsibility of the entire whānau in caring for their pēpi safely
• safety in relation to wairua wairua Spirit, soul Maori | Noun , whatumanawa whatumanawa Seat of emotions, heart, mind Maori | Noun and manaakitanga manaakitanga Hospitality, kindness, generosity, support Maori | Noun .

Explain this whakataukī whakataukī Proverb Maori | Noun and encourage whānau to have a 2-minute discussion about its meaning.

Make an appropriate toy from household recycled materials, for example:

• pegs in a bottle – clothes pegs, clean milk container
• posting box – ice cream container with shapes cut in the lid and shapes made from a variety of materials.

Think about:

• What will attract pēpi to this toy?
• What will pēpi learn from this toy?
• Are there any safety concerns?

Bring everyone together for closing. Offer an opportunity for whānau to share their homemade toy or an experience of the day. Reflect on ‘Tiaki i ahau’.

Close with a karakia and a waiata, your own or see the ones provided.

• clean household recycled items
• sticky tape
• masking tape
• stapler
• markers
• string
• cardboard
• scissors.