Matariki Creative Movement

Instructions:

1. Warm-Up (2–3 minutes)Start with gentle stretches or flowing movements. Ask tamariki to imagine they are waking up like the morning stars.“Stretch up like a tree reaching for the stars… sway like a breeze… circle your arms like the rising sun…”

2. Introduce the StarsBriefly explain the meanings of a few Matariki stars and how they relate to parts of our environment and life.Choose 3–5 to focus on for your session. For example:

   • Matariki – well-being

   • Tupuānuku – food from the earth

   • Waitī – fresh water

   • Ururangi – wind

   • Hiwa-i-te-Rangi – hopes and wishes

3. Movement Prompts (5–10 minutes)Call out each star and guide children to move how they imagine it would feel. Use open-ended prompts:

   • “Show me how Tupuānuku would move – slow and grounded like growing roots or a sprouting seed.”

   • “How would Ururangi feel? Can you spin, twist, or rush like the wind?”

   • “Hiwa-i-te-Rangi holds our dreams… how does your body move when you’re wishing or reaching for something important?”

4. Group Shapes & Free Flow (3–5 minutes)Invite tamariki to make shapes or short sequences together:

   • “As a group, can you make a star shape with your bodies?”

   • “Move through the room like a constellation of stars twinkling.”

5. Cool Down & ReflectionEnd with quiet stretching or lying still.Invite children to share:

   • “Which star did you like moving as the most?”

   • “What movement made you feel strong, calm, or happy?”