Waiata kōhungahunga

Waiata and me

Waiata to pēpi right from the start even before birth because they can hear from inside māmā  Waiata and playing music to them is an awesome way to start our attachment with our new pēpi.  

Waiata and learning?

Waiata and oriori are an important way to communicate and help pēpi learn about their world. Waiata stimulates pēpi and her brain, with a combination of sound, rhythm and rhyme.

Waiata involves lots of repetition, a key to learning, as it strengthens connections in her brain. Pēpi can pick up tunes and words easily because of the rhythms, rhymes and repetition in waiata. Waiata helps pēpi learn about patterns and beats.

How else can waiata help?

Waiata can reduce stress and calm pēpi.
Sing out loud - it makes you take deep breaths which can also help reduce stress.
Listen to or play calming waiata to pēpi.

What if you can't sing?

Kei te pai.  Pēpi doesn't care and you're not wanting to be the next NZ idol, are you?  Pēpi just loves to hear all the familiar voices in their ao and that's what's most important. Waiata is an activity that you can enjoy sharing with pēpi any time, anywhere.

Just remember little ears can be damaged easily and pēpi can be frightened by really loud sounds - sometimes even when they are still inside māmā.  Kia tūpato - check that volume!

Lets go and listen to some of the waiata, you can share with whānau