Pikinga Pahikara

📚 Curriculum Context

Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education
Strand: Movement Concepts and Motor Skills
Level: Te Whāriki – Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (New Zealand Curriculum)
Focus Learning Outcome (Strand: Mana Aotūroa):
Children experience an environment where they gain confidence in and control of their bodies; they learn strategies for active exploration, thinking, and reasoning.

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🧒 Age Group

• Age: 3 years old
• Class Size: 1 learner (1:1 support)
• Setting: Outdoor play space or flat sealed surface (e.g. concrete, turf)

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⌚ Duration

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Lesson Focus: Learning to ride a balance bike using only Te Reo Māori instructions and vocabulary.

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🎯 WALT & Success Criteria

WALT (We Are Learning To):

• WALT: Piki ki runga i te pahikara, pana, me te pupuri i te taurite.
  (We are learning to get on the bike, push, and balance.)

Success Criteria:
✅ Ka taea e te ākonga te piki ki runga i te pahikara
✅ Ka taea e te ākonga te pana i a ia anō
✅ Ka mātua arotahi ia ki te pupuri i te taurite

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👥 Differentiation

• For anxious tamariki: allow the learner to hold onto the kaiako's hand while walking with the bike.
• For learners new to Te Reo Māori: use physical gestures and prompts with repetition to reinforce commands.
• For advanced students: encourage independent movement and add bike turning challenges.

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🎯 Vocabulary List (in Te Reo Māori)

Māori	English
Pahikara	Bike
Piki	Climb on
Heke	Get off
Pana	Push
Whakatā	Rest
Taurite	Balance
Haere	Go
Tū	Stop
Titiro	Look
Taringa whakarongo	Listen carefully

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🧩 Lesson Breakdown

🔹 1. Whakawhanaungatanga – Connection Time (2 minutes)

• Greet learner warmly with karakia timatanga or simple mihimihi.
• Use caregiver or teddy bear to model putting on helmet:
  “Tērā te pahikara! Hoatu tō potae haumaru.”
  (“There’s your bike! Put on your safety helmet.”)

🗣 Te Reo Māori:

• “Tēnā koe!”
• “Titiro – tō pahikara!”
• “Piki – piki ki runga!” (Climb on)
• “Taringa whakarongo – ka tīmata tātou!” (Listen – we’re about to begin!)

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🔹 2. Mahi Takitahi – Individualised Skills (10 minutes)

a) Bike Familiarisation (3 mins)

• Guide learner to straddle the bike.
  Te Reo commands:
  • “Piki!” (Climb on!)
  • “Noho pai.” (Sit comfortably.)
  • “Titiro ki mua.” (Look forward!)

Encourage exploration in a straight line:

• “Pana, pana!” (Push, push!)
• “Haere!” (Go!)

Kaiako trails behind learner offering encouragement when upright balance or pushing improves.

b) Balance Game – ‘Tū me Haere’ (4 mins)

Introduce a mini obstacle course with two cones or chalk lines.

• Use stop/start game instructions all in Te Reo:
  • “Tū!” (Stop!)
  • “Haere!” (Go!)
  • “Pana māmā – kaua e tere!” (Push gently – not too fast!)
  • “Taurite, pai rawa atu!” (Balance – excellent!)

Use feedback in Te Reo:

• “Ka pai tō pana!” (Great pushing!)
• “Kia tūpato!” (Be careful!)

c) Mini Challenge – Te Ara Pahikara (3 mins)

Create a curved path – like a figure-8 or rainbow shape.

Give clear Te Reo instructions as they follow the path:

• “Haere i te ara.” (Go on the path.)
• “Pana huri!” (Push and turn!)
• “Ka rawe tō taurite!” (Awesome balance!)

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🔹 3. Whakakapi – Cool Down & Connection (3 minutes)

• Slow movement to full stop:
  • “Tū! Whakatā.” (Stop! Rest.)
  • “Heke i te pahikara.” (Get off the bike.)
  • “Tino pai tō mahi!” (You did such great work!)

Encourage naming key actions:

• Kaiako: “I pēhea koe e neke ai?” (How did you move?)
• Ākonga: “Pana – haere!” (Push – go!)

Finish with a waiata or farewell phrase:

🎵 “Haere rā e te pahikara, ka hoki mai āpōpō!”
(Farewell, bike – we'll ride again tomorrow!)

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🧠 Extension Ideas

• Add small ramps (secure and low) for confident riders after a few sessions.
• Incorporate Te Reo treasure hunt – collect objects along a ride using commands like “Kimihia te poraka” (Find the block!)
• Introduce tricycles or scooters using similar commands for variety and challenge.

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💡 Special Teacher Tips

🎈Bring props like soft toy tuatara who “rides with us” to encourage empathy and interaction.

🗣Keep language rich in Te Reo - Māori immersion for physical activity fosters not only motor development but cultural understanding.

🌿Use local natural settings – a grassy hill or bike track – to connect movement to whenua (land).

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✅ Reflection Questions for Kaiako

• Did the learner respond to Te Reo Māori prompts confidently?
• Did they manage to push and balance independently?
• What cues worked best: verbal, gesture, or demonstration?

“Ki taku whakaaro, ka tino rawe tēnei whakaakoranga mō te ngākau harikoa me te angitu o ngā ākonga. Ko te ako i te reo me te whakakori tinana e hono tahi ana — he tino taonga tēnei mō ngā mokopuna katoa.”
(In my opinion, this teaching session is perfect for joyful learning and student success. Language and physical activity connect — a treasure for all our children.)