Matching sounds, letters, and meaning in te reo Māori#

Mokopuna can match sounds to letters when reading, and letters to sounds when writing. They also learn that different types of language, like instructions, questions, and stories, look different and have different jobs. Mokopuna keep learning how letters, words, and symbols work together to share meaning.

Mokopuna are learning Te Reo Rangatira in 4 different learning strands called ‘whenu’.

Find out more about whenu.

Te Reo Rangatira whenu

Whenu: Kia Tika #

Kia Mataara#

By the end of 1 Year at kura, mokopuna need to be able to correctly match sounds (phonemes) to letters (graphemes) in reading and letters to sounds in writing.

Mokopuna are learning that sounds are represented by letters. They are also learning how letters, words, and symbols work separately and together and that symbols convey meaning.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Flashcard games

Help your mokopuna to build letter-sound awareness with fun flashcard games by:

• using flashcards with ngā Arapū Māori (ā, e, i, o, u, h, k, m, n, ng, p, r, t, w, wh)
• saying a word aloud (for example, pene) and asking, "what sound does pene start with?" "Which letter makes that sound?"

Your mokopuna finds and holds up the correct letter card (P). Celebrate with a pūkana or a high 5!

Sound recognition

Support your mokopuna with sound recognition through everyday items by:

• gathering small household items or pictures that start with Māori sounds (for example, manu, ngaru, whare)
• saying a sound (like m) and challenging your mokopuna to find something that starts with it.

Reading and writing

Encourage your mokopuna with early writing with simple listening and recording by:

• saying a word (for example, whare) and asking mokopuna to write the first sound or letter they hear (wh)
• using a notebook or whiteboard so they can easily try again.

Strengthen reading skills with sound and word connections by:

• showing a letter or digraph (for example, ng) and asking, "what sound is this?" "Can you think of a word that uses it?"
• making a list together and decorate it with drawings or stickers.

Whenu: Kia Mārama #

Kia Mataara#

Mokopuna are learning that instructions, questions, descriptions, and recounts each take different forms (language and presentation) and serve different purposes.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Explore with your mokopuna a favourite pukapuka or pakiwaitara in te reo Māori together.

Choose a story your whānau loves – written or told orally. Then:

• read it aloud or look at the pictures together
• pause on each page and kōrero about what’s happening
• encourage your mokopuna to ask questions about the story.

Take turns asking and answering questions like:

• "He aha te mahi a te tama?"
• "Nō hea pea te kuri?"

Support correct pronunciation by modelling the words clearly and repeating them together. Strengthen sentence structure by giving and following instructions.

Pick one part of the story and get your mokopuna to be the 'boss'. Say:

• "Kia tū koe ki te kuaha"
• "Tangohia te pukapuka, ka noho.”
• Make it fun and interactive.

Build thinking and prediction skills by pausing halfway through the story and asking your mokopuna. "Ki ōu whakaaro, ka aha ināianei?"

Encourage clear reasoning and confident kōrero. Create and describe the world of the story with your mokopuna by asking your mokopuna to draw their favourite part of the story.

You can also ask them to describe it using full sentences starting with:

• “Kei hea te …” (where it is)
• “Ko wai kei reira?” (who is there?)
• “He aha te āhua?” (what is it like?)

Use te reo while drawing, building or acting out the story.

Encourage mokopuna to explain what they’re doing: “Kei te hanga au i tētahi whare nā te mea i noho te taniwha ki reira.”