Te Whāriki — indicators by Mana strand
Te Whāriki is the bicultural early childhood curriculum of Aotearoa New Zealand (Ministry of Education, 2017). Each card below is one indicator from the curriculum — what teachers and whānau watch for, organised by age band and Mana strand.
Te Whāriki indicators are observation prompts grounded in the curriculum, not adult-advice activities. The Learning Curve activities tab will appear here once construct-derived activities are authored.
321 indicators · across 23 Mana strands
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- Te WhārikiObserve
keeps self healthy and manages familiar self-care routines
What you might see: The child asks for help with a button or zip before becoming upset.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
Kaiako should have an understanding of Māori approaches to health and wellbeing and how these are applied in practice.
What you might see: The adult notices how children handle a body need or care step and changes the pace immediately.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
Models such as Te Whare Tapa Whā emphasise the importance of te taha wairua to holistic wellbeing.
What you might see: Children use the arrangement to show health and body care through action, not only through answers.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
practises self-care during familiar routines with growing independence
What you might see: The child asks for help with a button or zip before becoming upset.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
joins healthy kai or hygiene routines with visible confidence
What you might see: The child asks for help with a button or zip before becoming upset.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
responds to body needs during everyday care routines
What you might see: The child pulls on a hat before going outside and checks that it stays on.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
uses self-help actions to care for personal wellbeing
What you might see: The child washes and dries hands before kai with only a brief cue about the next step.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
practises self-care during familiar routines with growing independence
What you might see: The child opens part of a lunchbox, chooses food, and puts rubbish or scraps in the agreed place.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
joins healthy kai or hygiene routines with visible confidence
What you might see: The child opens part of a lunchbox, chooses food, and puts rubbish or scraps in the agreed place.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
responds to body needs during everyday care routines
What you might see: The child opens part of a lunchbox, chooses food, and puts rubbish or scraps in the agreed place.
all_early_childhoodTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
Kaiako empower infants to discover their own limits by allowing them the time and space to learn for themselves and not intervening unnecessarily.
What you might see: The adult notices how children handle a body need or care step and changes the pace immediately.
infantsTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
There are opportunities for toddlers to be independent in a supportive and encouraging environment. Toddlers’ communication and increasing independence is responded to and supported.
What you might see: The setup lets a child complete a meaningful part of handwashing, snack, rest, or dressing.
toddlersTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
Young children have opportunities for independence, choice and autonomy, and they learn self-care skills.
What you might see: Kaiako balance safety, tikanga, and choice while children participate.
young_childrenTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
Children are assisted in ways that support independence and competence and do not engender shame or embarrassment.
What you might see: The adult invites a question or idea before adding more instruction.
young_childrenTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
Young children have opportunities to participate in energetic physical activity.
What you might see: The adult notices how children handle a body need or care step and changes the pace immediately.
young_childrenTheir health is promoted - Te WhārikiObserve
manages self and expresses feelings and needs to trusted people
What you might see: Says, "I need help with this," and hands the stuck zip to a trusted adult before yelling.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured - Te WhārikiObserve
Kaiako respect Māori beliefs by carrying out everyday caregiving practices in line with cultural protocols. For example, they uphold the concept of tapu and noa by separating soiled personal items from kitchen laundry.
What you might see: The setup lets a child complete a meaningful part of waiting, comfort, conflict, or settling.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured - Te WhārikiObserve
Kaiako develop their own knowledge of te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and Māori world views so that they are better able to support children to understand their own mana atuatanga.
What you might see: Adult language names the purpose while leaving room for child agency.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured - Te WhārikiObserve
Kaiako facilitate tuakana–teina relationships and ensure that mokopuna have opportunities to manaaki and take responsibility for others.
What you might see: A child’s signal changes how tuakana-teina support is arranged or how help is offered.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured - Te WhārikiObserve
expresses feelings and needs during familiar peer or adult interactions
What you might see: The child says “I need help” and brings the stuck item to an adult before yelling.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured - Te WhārikiObserve
returns to calm after a challenge with trusted support
What you might see: The child says “I need help” and brings the stuck item to an adult before yelling.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured - Te WhārikiObserve
communicates comfort, discomfort or preference in play
What you might see: The child names disappointment and accepts a plan for a later turn.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured - Te WhārikiObserve
uses familiar strategies to manage frustration or uncertainty
What you might see: The child tells a peer “I’m still using it” and waits beside the adult for support.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured - Te WhārikiObserve
expresses feelings and needs during familiar peer or adult interactions
What you might see: The child chooses the quiet cushion after covering ears during a loud song.
all_early_childhoodTheir emotional wellbeing is nurtured