March 21, 2023
Tools to tackle Māori reading lag
An Auckland University researcher says digital technology could help address the reading lag between Maori and pakeha students.
Gavin Brown, a professor of learning, development and professional practice in the faculty of education and social work, says Maori students’ reading age can lag up to two years.
He says socio-economic factors can make it more difficult for parents and caregivers to devote daily reading time to their tamariki … but other cultures show that putting in the time makes huge differences to the child’s future education and life.
“You can look at how chinese and jewish communities around the world prioritise those for their children, from a very early age – and they get extremely good results, despite some socio-economic deprivation. So there is an interaction bewteen family culture and what’s valuable to us… and our socio-economic resources,” he says
Professor Brown says with smart phones in nearly every home, parents could use fun interactive learning options to engage their tamariki.