Reshaping the learning disposition domains: Rethinking the language for infants and toddlers

The authors work with infants and toddlers and had become interested in rethinking the language associated with learning dispositions in documented Learning Stories. They decided to develop a different language, one that better reflected their knowledge and understanding of under-2-year-olds and their learning. The teachers returned to the curriculum document, Te Whāriki, for the language, finding a “myriad” of words that described the actions and behaviour of infants and toddlers. Dispositional action words and cues for teachers working with under-2s are set out in detail and examples for each of the five strands of Te Whāriki are included to “test out” the framework.