Ruaumoko - Understanding Big Emotions

Sometimes the feelings within our tamariki are bigger than the words they have to express them. Frustration, excitement, sadness, fear and uncertainty can show up in ways that are difficult to understand, particularly as tamariki learn to navigate their emotions and the world around them.

Through the kaupapa of Kaiāio and the mātauranga held within our pūrākau, we are invited to look at these moments differently. Ruaumoko, the atua associated with the movements beneath Papatūānuku, offers a way to reflect on the intensity of what can move beneath the surface. Like the shaking of the whenua, big emotions can feel powerful and unpredictable. What we see on the outside may be only one part of what our tamaiti is experiencing.

Rather than focusing only on behaviour, we can pause and consider what might be happening beneath the surface. What is our tamaiti feeling? What might they need from us in this moment?

This is where Kaiāio calls us to explore the relationship between tākaro, movement, breath, wai and connection.

Sometimes our tamariki need space to move and release the energy building within them. At other times, they might need quiet, closeness or the reassurance of a familiar voice. Even simple experiences with wai, whether splashing, pouring, bathing or spending time near water, can create opportunities to pause, reconnect and shift the rhythm of a difficult moment.

Through our relationship with Tangaroa and the waters that move between earth and sky, we can explore how wai becomes part of our kete for navigating big emotions. The intention is not to suppress what our tamariki feel, but to create space for them to reconnect with their bodies, express themselves and find a different rhythm.

Presence

Just as importantly, our tamariki do not need to navigate these experiences alone. The tone we bring, the way we respond and our willingness to stay connected all contribute to how a difficult moment unfolds. We may not always have the right words or be able to resolve what is happening straight away. Sometimes, our presence is where connection begins.

Through tākaro, Whakatau Hā and the everyday rituals of Te Kete Āio, we can create opportunities for tamariki to become familiar with their feelings, discover what helps them and experience the support of whānau as they navigate the many dimensions of being human.

Kaiāio is not about preventing every shake, stopping every eruption or keeping our tamariki calm all the time. It is about learning to recognise what is happening, responding with intention and supporting our tamariki to reconnect when the intensity begins to settle.

Big emotions are not simply behaviours to manage but are experiences to understand, relationships to nurture and opportunities to learn more about what our tamariki need.

Mātāmua ko te taiao, mātāmuri ko te tangata. Tākaro mai!