Tuākana/tēina agency in early childhood education

In contemporary early childhood education (ECE) contexts, tuākana/tēina describes the practice of older, more expert children caring, teaching and taking responsibility for those younger or less expert. This article explores the tuākana/tēina  understanding and practices that were evident in a recent Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI)-funded research project, Te Whatu Kete Mātauranga: Weaving Māori and Pasifika Infant and Toddler Theory and Practice in Early Childhood Education (2015−16), and highlights the importance of children learning tuākana/tēina  roles and responsibilities in ECE contexts.