Merging Matariki and Froebel

Well … it’s been a minute. All of us - children, parents and teachers have had a very busy year so far! It’s been fabulous!!

At Seven Stars we have been enjoying a Froebelian activity every day and you can see our #30DaysofFroebel posts on our Facebook page. Sometimes we have used a suggested activity straight from the The Froebel Partnership website but as Matariki drew near, we decided to meld a few of the Froebel activities with whakaaro Māori to fit our Aotearoa context.

Here are some of our activities which draw from both Māori and Froebelian perspectives.

Music & Movement

Froebel believed in the importance of music and movement to help develop the child’s own sense of self, as well their relationships with adults and their connection to their community and the wider world around them. He believed that the content of songs should always be educational and should reflect the world of the child - what sparks their interest and curiosity, what brings them joy? Songs are also a way to introduce children to different cultures and perspectives.

Occupations

Activities galore! Raranga-Flax weaving and Paper-folding, making Matariki telescopes & cooking whānau soup!

Froebel encouraged the use of “occupations” to support the child’s learning by giving them first hand experience of a range of craft activities which help strengthen curiosity and creativity and develop physical and problem-solving skills through manipulating, controlling and transforming different natural materials. The occupations include claywork, woodwork, sewing, paperfolding and pricking, cooking, pea and straw construction and weaving.

Yum!

We made this Friendship Shortbread last year as well & this year added rosemary from our garden!

Creating telescopes sparks children’s curiosity about the night sky, the solar system and the universe as well as opportunities to share pūrākau Māori/Māori stories of creation and the various stars in the Matariki cluster

Stars!

Clay & salt dough Matariki stars

Family and Community

Froebel placed huge importance on the role of family and community in the development of the child. He believed that while it was important to respect the individuality and uniqueness of every child, it was also vital to help children develop an awareness of their connection to themselves, their peers and teachers, their families, their community and society and the world around them. In our Aotearoa context, this principle of unity and connectedness aligns perfectly with the Māori concept of whanaungatanga-something we value deeply at Seven Stars.

We work to create a learning environment which is warm and welcoming for all-and what better way to do that than by cooking a sharing a beautiful vegetable soup this Matariki! We call it ‘whānau soup’ as the vegetables are brought in by whānau and then enjoyed by all while our tamariki sing a few waiata.

-Lynda Harris