What is Kōwhiti Whakapae?

Kōwhiti Whakapae is an online curriculum resource for early learning kaiako built on the foundations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Whāriki principles, the inclusion of all children and nurturing children’s identities, languages and cultures.

Tools and resources for early learning – Kōwhiti Whakapae

Kōwhiti Whakapae and its associated resources focus on ways to support children’s progress in 3 learning areas:

• social and emotional
• oral language and literacy
• maths.

The social and emotional area is available now, and the other 2 areas are expected to be available in June 2024.

How is Kōwhiti Whakapae connected to our other work?

The Common Practice Model

Kōwhiti Whakapae builds on the pedagogical approaches laid out in the Common Practice Model (CPM), a key part of the 'Literacy, Communication and Maths Strategy'.

New Zealand Curriculum – Tāhūrangi website

When the full suite of resources is released, it will provide the early learning practices and progressions of the CPM. Early learning kaiako will be able to refer to Kōwhiti Whakapae for clear, practical guidance on what works best for the teaching of literacy, communication and maths.

He Pikorua Practice Framework

Kōwhiti Whakapae complements the structure and Te Tūāpapa approach of the He Pikorua Practice Framework.

Our practice framework – He Pikorua

Practices in Kōwhiti Whakapae support kaiako to lay the groundwork to strengthen teaching practice and improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for all children (aligning to Te Matua | Universal).

The practices and progressions do this by helping kaiako to notice, recognise and respond to children's capabilities (aligning to Te Kāhui | Targeted).

Noticing and recognising early also means more timely access to learning supports as needed and more tailored support (aligning to Te Arotahi | Tailored).

Other education initiatives

Kōwhiti Whakapae also aligns closely to some of our other key initiatives:

• the Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP)
• the Early Learning Action Plan
• Ka Hikitia – Ka Hāpaitia (the Māori Education Strategy)
• the Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020–2030.

More information about all of those connections is available on Kōwhiti Whakapae.

The 'social and emotional' area of Kōwhiti Whakapae

The social and emotional area is available now for kaiako to explore and use.

In Kōwhiti Whakapae, social and emotional learning refers to the knowledge, skills and attitudes that children use in socially and culturally appropriate ways to form relationships, solve conflicts, express, and regulate emotions, adapt in new situations and overcome challenges.

Social and emotional learning is divided into 4 equally important areas.

Connected relationships and caring for others

Children’s ability to connect with family, friends, familiar and unfamiliar people in responsive and respectful ways, including engaging in social interactions that are reciprocal and uphold the mana of each person.

Emotional awareness, regulation, and spiritual connectedness

Children’s growing awareness, understanding and connection to their inner-selves and their wider social and spiritual worlds.

Agency and adaptability

For children in an education setting, agency means being able to make choices, set goals and plans, and follow through. Adaptability means that children are able to respond flexibly to different contexts and expectations, held both by others and themselves.

Social inclusion and action

Enacting social inclusion creates a context where everyone feels a sense of belonging and participation. Social action refers to the actions taken to look after and stand up for self, others, and the natural world.

Assessment examples and whānau guides related to social and emotional learning will also be available.