Teaching and practice

Information and links to resources about teaching and learning in early learning services.

Te Whāriki

Te Whāriki ensures that early learners experience a curriculum that empowers them as lifelong learners. The focus of Te Whāriki is always on supporting children to develop the capabilities that they need as confident and competent learners. The curriculum has five strands that are areas of learning and development.

Te Whāriki

Assessment for learning

Assessment informs teaching, so that you can plan for a child’s next steps and support them to achieve goals in the future. Assessment actively involves children and their families/whānau in decisions about their learning.

Kei tua o te pae/Assessment for Learning

Kei tua o te pae is a best practice resource that will support teachers to improve the quality of their assessment and their teaching. The exemplars are a series of books that inform assessment practices in ECE. They also show how children, parents and whānau can contribute to this assessment and ongoing learning.

Te whatu pōkeka: Kaupapa assessment for learning Māori

Te whatu pōkeka provides a resource based on a kaupapa Māori perspective and context. The resource is used for the assessment of Māori children in Māori early childhood settings.

Te whatu pōkeka is also available in English.

Te whatu pōkeka (English)

Transitions in early learning – into, within and beyond

Moving into a new environment is a time of change and adaptation for children, their families, whānau and teachers. To find out more about supporting children and families, whānau during this time, follow the link below.

Transitions in early learning

Transitioning children with learning support needs into school

Early planning, parent engagement and strong relationships between the school or kura, the early learning service, parents and the Ministry are critical. These factors support a child with learning support needs to make a successful transition in to school.

Transitioning children with learning support needs

Supporting children in care

Children and young people in care, or who have been in care, are likely to have had traumatic early experiences. They may need more support with getting along with others, participating and learning alongside their peers. 

The supporting children in care guide is for educators in all settings so that they can provide appropriate support for children and young people, so they experience wellbeing and achievement.

Download the guides:

The Inclusive Education website provides New Zealand educators with practical strategies, suggestions and resources to support learners with diverse needs.

Inclusive Education website(external link)

Calmer classrooms: A guide to working with traumatised children(external link) [249 KB, PDF]

Making space for learning: Trauma-informed practice in schools Australian Childhood Foundation(external link) [5,014 KB, PDF]

A trauma-sensitive approach for children aged 0-8 years (2012) – Womens's health(external link)

Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako

A Community of Learning | Kāhui Ako is a group of education and training providers that work together to help students to achieve their full potential. Communities can include early learning services.

Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako

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