Ibrahim, the other day before morning tea when I asked, Who would like to clean the tables?

You came forward and said, I want to. You took the disinfectant spray bottle and the cleaning
cloth from me and started to spray around the table. As soon as Adeeba saw you with the spray
bottle she came running to you saying, Me, me, my turn. You told Adeeba, My turn first, ok,
Adeeba? Adeeba could not wait, kept saying, My turn, my turn, and she was more interested
with the spray bottle than the cleaning cloth that you were trying offer her. So at last you gave
the spray bottle to Adeeba, and stood close by watching. She tilted the bottle too close to the
table that nothing come out when she pulled the trigger. You showed her how to hold the spray
bottle correctly not too close to the table so that the liquid will come out. Later you
demonstrated to Adeeba how to wipe the table using a cleaning cloth.
Ibrahim, I have been observing you and was pleased to see you were such a gentle, kind and
patient tutor to Adeeba. You were patiently instructing Adeeba how to clean a table. You have
been a wonderful Tuakana to a Teina.

This Maori inspiration of tuakana teina comes

from the wider principles of
whakawhanaungata. In the relationship
tuakana teina, the tuakana is the older child
or the child who takes the role of teacher .
The teina is the younger child or the child
taking on the role of learner. The role can
shift.
We encourage children to take tuakana teina
role which reinforces the sense of family and
community. As An-Nur community is a
Whanau. This relationships benefits both
children. Teina is able to get help needed,
develop trust and respect for the older friend.
Tuakana feels pride as to contribute to a
Written by Teacher Rosy
younger friend and able to strengthen their
November, 2017
leadership skills.