WHY IS LANGUAGE IMPORTANT TO US
Language is when you are born.
Language is being secure.
Language is about being safe.
Language is about Whanau
Language is about Whakapapa.
Language is about Respect and beliefs.
Language is about exploring.
Language is about being shy.
Language is about trust.
Language helps us to communicate with each other.
Language gives knowledge about diversity.
Language can make you competent/confident
Language can make you play.
Language can make you learn.
Language creates empathy for those less fortunate.
Language can make friends.
Language can create enemies.
Language can set rules.
Language can create song.
Language is about Birthdays,
Language is about Transitioning.
Language can make you a leader.
Language can Help you with your Goals
Language helps you to be Successful
Language can also make you fail
Language makes you try again.
Language can help you to be whatever you set you mind to be.
Language can be happy/sad/angry/funny/scared/calm/caring...............
Language can create careers.
Language can create Love.
Language can create Marriage.
Language can produce Tamariki.
Language can create Hardship.
Language can create Death
Language can create Break-ups
Language can create Mokopuna's
Language can tell stories.
Language can create memorable moments.
Language can help make Long-Life Soul mates
Language can make you grow old together
Language will carry on your legacy
Language in itself is not technical. However each culture has spoken or written language and in this modern age, language has evolved through technology. At it's base language is the spoken or written word. Previously it was confined due to distance or time but with the use of modern technology we can use telephones to speck to people on different continents, we can talk and write to each other over the Internet, we learn daily news through radio and television. We use technology as a medium for our language. Acronyms and text language are a big part of today's society . Technology has a big impact on our language and our use of written word.
At school children often have their first language and English is usually their second language. I believe in respecting children's language and culture, as they are interwoven, i believe language is a stepping stone of cultural identity of individuals and community. For example the loss of language results in weakened cultural identity." Culture is expressed through language. Language encapsulates the culture and values are particular to culture" (Ritchie, 2001)
Social cultural theory of vygotsky where he believes that a child's learning is greatly influence by language. Language is used as a strategy's in solving problems for example English being their second language and having been spoken in their own language gives them that sense of belonging, Te Whaariki states "Children and their families experience an environment where they know that they have a place. (MoE.p.58)
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whaariki Matauranga Mo Nga Mokopuna O Aotearoa;
Early Childhood Curriculum.Wellington New Zealand;
Learning Media.
Ritchie, J (2001). Implementing a bicultural curriculum; Some considerations
In Early Childhood Folio 5: 2001- A Collection,
of Recent Research (pp.23-26). Wellington NZCER.
Hello Alex
ReplyDeleteI like how you see the different uses of language but I think you may have misinterpreted what is required in our blogs. We need to reflect on forms of digital and non digital technology. Can you relate language back to forms of technology? For example compact discs with waiata, or even digital photos can show stories which the children can add their own language too. Bronwyn Glass from Botany Downs Kindergarten said last week that she gets her tamariki to make mini movies and even videos with children interviewing their peers on their daily news. Computers can help develop literacy and binding machines can be used to put together a book of the children's stories. These are only some ideas. I hope this helps. Kia kaha.
Kia Ora Alex
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachael a fantastic way of linking language to technology is possibly making up Maori phrases that can be placed around your centre. Children are able to use resources like the computer to type the words up, laminator to protect their designs and magnets to attach to a magnetic whiteboard. This in return is supporting their increase in vocabulary. Kei te pai to mahi as you continue to support childrens understanding of how technology is useful in your centre.