Children's Voices transcript

How should we talk to you?

Talk nicely. Kōrero pai ki ahau.

I like it when they speak softly.

I don't like people to scream.

And if you don't speak to them nice, they won't speak to you nice.

Pīrangi ahau te reo māhaki. (I want the quiet voice.)

Don't go too angry.

Speak nice.

Be friendly.

Respect other people.

I like the happy voice.

How can we help you behave well?

Tell you the right things to do and not the wrong things.

Well, they’ve shown me what to do - because sometimes I can’t see what they’re doing. Tell me what I should be doing.

Āwhinatia mai ki ahau kia pai tōku manawa. (Help me to have a good heart.)

Help me do it if I’m feeling cross.

They should learn me to. And I’m four years old now.

Ka awhi ngā mātua. (My parents help me.)

They give me choices that are right and then I choose one.

Kōrero pai ki ahau i ngā wā katoa. (Speak nicely to me all the times.)

How can we reward you?

By going shopping and getting me some things that I really like.

Take me somewhere to play and take me somewhere with my friends.

Give them a toy. Watch television. Give them a new pet.

We go to the beach after, when we tidy up the whole house.

Give us treats.

Taonga mo ngā huritau. (Birthday present.)

By going to the shop and getting me something.

Kei te mahi korowai. (Helping to make cloaks.)

Playing dominoes with my Nana.

We go out together and we talk to each other.

Play in the park.

Giving a surprise maybe?

How can we help you when you’re upset?

Come and kiss me better and give me some cuddles. Leave me alone so I can sleep for a little bit.

Kōrero pukapuka atu taku Māma ki ahau. (My Mum reads me books.)

Cuddle me.

Ka āwhi taku Māma ki ahau. (My Mum helps me do things.)

When my sister cries I can give her a hug and a kiss.

Say what’s happening.

Just sit there and listen.

In our house how old you are is how many minutes you have to stay in your bedroom, so I have to stay in my bedroom for like seven minutes.

Keep holding them - like carrying a baby.

Ka panui ahau he pukapuka. (I read a book.)

They just remind me of things I’ve been through like happy things.

I tell them the problem and then they sort it out with me.

She says that’s OK when you’re angry, just let it all out.

Awhi mai me kihi. (Hug me and kiss me.)

When I’m feeling cross, Mum, don’t talk to me really loud. Ask me what’s been going on. Put me on my bed until I’ve stopped crying.

Massage.

Tiki he taonga me kaore pouri i a koe. (Comfort me until I’m happy.)

Give me apple. Give me a glass of water. Make me breathe.

By singing to me.

Thanks to the children from:

St Anne’s School
Sagata Ana Aoga Amata
Te Punanga Reo Kuki Airani
Houghton Valley Playcentre
Hougton Valley School
Te Ara Whānui Kura Kaupapa Māori

Paula Kele for the Tokelau children from Porirua and Lower Hutt

Rose Sinclair for the Kirbati children from the Porirua community

Closing screen shots are of:
S.K.I.P
Strategies with Kids Information for Parents

Family and Community Services - rātonga ā-whānau, ā-hapori
A service of the Ministry of Social Development
www.skip.org.nz