At Sylvia Park Kindergarten, we strongly believe in all individuals being learners.  As a teaching team, we were all part of a Ministry of Education language project, ‘Now We’re Talking’, and we were inspired to extend on children’s language learning.  This evolved into a special mat time which is directed by children, called Ako time.

Ako time is all about the tamariki.  It allows them to take control of their learning and put their learning into words.  After the Ako teacher is chosen, their role is to engage their peers using a breathing technique, allowing them time to reflect on their day with their eyes closed, and start the special rhyme.  The Ako teacher then rolls a ball to two of his or her peers and supports each of them with their pepeha and to reflect on what they did that day.  From there, the Ako teacher facilitates questions from the rest of their peers to find out more information.

The children are very passionate about being the Ako teacher, and they enjoy practicing this during the day.

We asked the children, “What is Ako Time?”  They said;

“When you sit down, and someone rolls the ball to you.”

“When you stand up and learn your pepeha.”

We then asked the children “What do you like about Ako Time?”  They responded;

“Rolling the ball.”

“I like it when I get the ball rolled to me.”