Young children have opportunities to participate in energetic physical activity.
Observe whether the child: Young children have opportunities to participate in energetic physical activity.
What it looks like
Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.
Emerging
Just starting
A kaiako names a body need or care step, but the interaction remains mostly adult-led. Children show a short response rather than sustained participation.
What you might see
The adult starts handwashing, snack, rest, or dressing with drink bottle, then pauses while children mostly observe rather than shape the next move.
Kaiako notice a body need or care step and name it, while children copy the model without adapting it yet.
A brief invitation uses drink bottle; children use the materials briefly and then drift away.
Expected
On track
During the interaction, adults balance safety, tikanga, and agency. Children can show the focus through action within five minutes.
What you might see
The adult notices how children handle a body need or care step and changes the pace immediately.
A child’s signal changes where hand towel is placed or how help is offered.
The adult invites a question or idea before adding more instruction.
Exceeding
Going further
The adult steps back when children can sustain the purpose together, then re-enters only to protect safety, dignity, or inclusion.
What you might see
Children transfer the practice to a peer while adults stay nearby and responsive.
Children repair a problem in handwashing, snack, rest, or dressing before adults take control.
Kaiako invite comparison, responsibility, or reflection from the children.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
Use drink bottle during kai, rest, handwashing, dressing, or energetic play, with hand towel nearby. Notice when a body need or care step becomes visible in action rather than talk.
Invite the child to show the activity to someone else; look for teaching, simplifying, pride, or respect for the listener.
Where this comes from
The dataset source and any supporting developmental research.
Ministry of Education. (2017). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum.
The bicultural early childhood curriculum of Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga (NZ Ministry of Education), 2017 revision.