Kaupapa Ranginui Art

Overview

A 10-minute, engaging art experience for preschoolers (age 3-5) exploring the Māori creation narrative of Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother). This lesson is designed for 14 students and fully aligns with the Te Whāriki early childhood curriculum framework, embedding cultural identity and holistic development through creative expression.

Learning Objectives (Te Whāriki Alignment)

Contribution | Mana Tangata: Children will participate in group storytelling and art-making activities, fostering a sense of community and shared cultural understanding.
Exploration | Mana Aotūroa: Encourage children to experiment with different materials to represent Ranginui and Papatūānuku, supporting their own creativity and discovery.
Communication | Mana Reo: Use te reo Māori names and simple tikanga storytelling to connect children with Māori cultural narratives and language.
Well-being | Mana Atua: Promote children’s identity and belonging, strengthening self-esteem by celebrating Māori stories and their environment.
Belonging | Mana Whenua: Deepen children’s connection to the natural world, understanding their place in the environment through symbolic art representation.

Resources

Large sheet of paper or mural board
Blue, green, brown, white, and black paint (child-safe)
Thick brushes, sponges, and stamp shapes (circle for sky, leaf for earth)
Natural materials (leaves, twigs) for texture
Storytelling props or picture cards depicting Ranginui and Papatūānuku
Smocks or aprons
Wet wipes and towels for cleanup

Lesson Plan

1. Welcome and Introduction (2 minutes)

Gather children in a circle.
Briefly tell the story of Ranginui and Papatūānuku using simple language and picture cards:
"Long ago, Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were hugging each other so tightly the world was dark. Their children separated them to let light into the world."
Introduce the idea that they will work together to create a picture to show this story.

Te Whāriki focus: Communication — using language and narrative to express identity and cultural stories (Mana Reo) .

2. Exploration Activity (6 minutes)

Lay out the large paper/mural for the group.
Show paint colours representing the sky (blue and white for Ranginui) and earth (green and brown for Papatūānuku).
Children take turns dipping brushes, sponges, and stamps to create sky and earth patterns. Encourage them to mix colours, make shapes, and add natural materials as texture overlays on the paper.
While painting, use te reo Māori words: "rangi" (sky), "papa" or "whenua" (earth), "ngahere" (forest), "awa" (river).
Foster sharing and turn-taking.

Te Whāriki focus: Exploration — children experiment with materials and expression, nurturing creativity and autonomy (Mana Aotūroa) .

3. Reflection and Sharing (2 minutes)

Bring children back into a circle to look at their collaborative artwork.
Encourage them to share what they made or observed like: "I painted the sky," or "I put leaves for the earth."
Reinforce the bond between Ranginui and Papatūānuku and how their story connects us to the world around us.

Te Whāriki focus: Contribution and Well-being — children develop confidence by expressing ideas and feeling part of a cultural story and group (Mana Tangata, Mana Atua) .

Assessment

Observation: Teacher notes children's engagement, use of language (especially te reo Māori), sharing behaviours, and experimentation with art materials.
Anecdotal: Recognise children's ability to recall parts of the story and connect it with their artwork.
Inclusion: Adjust scaffolding/support for children who need help with fine motor skills or language comprehension.

Extensions

Create a classroom mural over several days adding elements representing Ranginui and Papatūānuku’s children (forest, rivers, animals).
Invite whānau to share other Māori stories connected to natural elements.
Include waiata (songs) that celebrate the sky and earth during the art session.

Cultural Responsiveness

This lesson centres the Māori worldview and the significant cultural narrative of Ranginui and Papatūānuku, supporting identity and belonging which are core to Te Whāriki. The use of te reo Māori, storytelling, and natural materials enhances bicultural responsiveness and fosters respect for the environment—key aspects of teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand.

By blending storytelling, cultural language, hands-on art, and group sharing, this lesson honours Te Whāriki’s principles and strands, nurturing confident, connected, actively involved, and lifelong learners from the preschool years onward.

References

Te Whāriki Early Childhood Curriculum Framework — Mana Aotūroa, Mana Reo, Mana Atua, Mana Tangata, Mana Whenua strands
Emphasis on cultural identity and creativity from Te Whāriki principles

This plan aims to inspire teachers by integrating culturally rich content with creative expression tailored for the developmental needs of preschool children in New Zealand.

Teaching Instructions