Aotearoa's linguistic landscape: exploring the use of te reo Maori in English-medium early childhood education.

ABSTRACT: This research provides insight into current te reo Māori (the Indigenous language of Aotearoa, New Zealand) use in English-medium ECE settings. We videoed naturalistic conversations between kaiako (educators) and tamariki (aged 15-28 months) at 24 English-medium BestStart ECE centres. Te reo Māori was quantitatively assessed across five routines: kai (food) time, book time, group time, free play, and nappy change. The highest rates of te reo Māori use per minute were observed during the kai time, book time, and group time routines, respectively, and lowest during free play and nappy change. Although scripted/prepared te reo Māori use (e.g. karakia and waiata; prayer and song) were well used, opportunities for more complex and elaborate te reo Māori

SUBMITTER: Mitchell YA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11619024 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature