How does Hauora relate to Early Intervention?

Taha whānau : Social health

The concept of family is significant for all cultures, especially Māori society where family (whānau ) is considered to be the primary social unit of Maori society. Parents and whānau are vital to empowering children's holistic learning and development, especially those with additional learning needs. They need love, care, and treatment from their parents and whānau, not only in physical terms but culturally and emotionally (Durie, 1998). Whānau also provides children with the strength to be who they are. In particular, Māori tamariki have whakapapa that ties them to their ancestors, past, present, and future in their wider family connections (Durie, 1994).

Taha Whanau

Te Whāriki also mentions that a family’s wellbeing has the most significant impact on a child’s social-emotional and cognitive growth. Therefore, early intervention teachers must look at family issues and concerns before assessing a child's skills and education needs, and individual planning.

Parents and whānau are the people who have the most influence on a child’s development. Therefore, to deliver effective early intervention, the services must work collaboratively with parents and whānau, focusing on the family’s role in making decisions about their child, and see them as the experts in their children’s learning needs (Alliston, 2007).

Taha Hinengaro: Mental and Emotional health

Thoughts, feelings and emotions are integral components of the body and soul.

Taha Hinengaro

Early intervention professionals need to work closely and collaboratively with the child with additional learning needs, parents, early childhood teachers to deliver an intervention. However, it depends on positive relationships and trust that early intervention professionals establish with early childhood education teachers, and parents (or other caregivers). Early interventionists must be aware of crossing personal and professional boundaries, always work in a team, and respect each other’s opinions

Taha Tinana: Physical health

The physical body, it’s growth, development, ability to move, ways of keeping fit and healthy.

Taha Tinana

“All children have the right to have their health and well-being promoted and to be protected from harm. They also have a right to experience affection, warmth and consistent care” (Te Whariki, 2017 , p. 26)

Early intervention referrals to special and educational services for children with special needs during their early developmental stages in order to decrease the effects of biological and other factors that can affect developmental outcomes.

Taha Wairua: Spiritual health

The values and beliefs that determine the way people live, the search for meaning and purpose in life, personal identity, and self-awareness.

Taha Wairua

“Kaiako should have an understanding of Māori approaches to health and wellbeing and how these are applied in practice. Te Whare Tapa Whā emphasise the importance of taha wairua to holistic wellbeing” (Ministry of Education, 2017, p. 26).

Taraporvala (2015) also stated that Taha wairua is related to the curriculum strand Well-being/Mana Atua, based on the principle of Empowerment in Te Whāriki. In this way, Early intervention services should respond to the needs of each family and child with respect, meaning, and empowerment.