Te Whāriki · NZ Ministry of Education

Belonging (Mana Whenua) — printable resources

Connecting to family, community, place, and environment, fostering a strong sense of identity.

Mana Whenua, the strand of Belonging, emphasises the deep connection children have to their family, community, and the wider world. Our social-emotional resources offer identity-building templates, 'all about me' sheets, family drawing activities, and holiday celebration pages. These activities invite children to share their heritage, talk about their homes, and explore cultural festivals, reinforcing their unique place in the world.

Invite whānau to contribute to these activities, creating a rich bridge between home and the early childhood setting. Kaiako can use the completed sheets to decorate the classroom space, giving pēpi, nohinohi, and kōhungahunga a strong visual sense of ownership and identity. Sharing stories about local communities and family traditions during circle time fosters a warm learning environment where every child feels valued.

Resources for Belonging

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This alignment is an advisory overlay to support your planning. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with the NZ Ministry of Education.

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