Word Nerd

08/10/2025

Pups ready to bring the fun during a session this morning!

🐶 🚓🚜🚁🐶

24/09/2025

18/09/2025

"We included te reo words in the English text because such words are increasingly becoming part of everyday New Zealand English, and because they often carry extra and/or specific meanings that English doesn’t. They enhance our discourse. They acknowledge te reo as one of New Zealand’s official languages. And how could I write ANYTHING about Whina without acknowledging her language as well?"

Looking forward to reading this book!

15/09/2025

Kei te pēhea koe?

Kei te manawanui ahau 💪

A new poster with some new kupu (words) for emotions. You can find it here:
https://www.reomaori.co.nz/give_te_reo_a_go_beginner_resources

15/09/2025

It’s Speech Language Therapy Awareness week and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori!

Until recently the only reo Māori word for speech language therapist that I knew was Kaiwhakatikatika reo kōrero (Corrector of speech and language). A whānau I work with shared with me a newer translation: Kaituku Haumanu Ngutu Tūī.

It comes from Te Reo Hāpai/The language of enrichment, a project developed by Keri Opai. Te Reo Hāpai is glossary of te reo Māori terms for use in the mental health, addiction and disability sectors. The kupu come from a strengths based and a mana enhancing Māori worldview.

Kaituku Haumanu Ngutu Tūī aligns with the whakatauki “E koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū” /The tui cries, the kaka chatters, the kererū coos or everyone speaks in their own way.

My understanding when you break down the words is that Kaituku Haumanu means therapist. Ngutu Tūī is the beak of the Tūī.

So a Kaituku Haumanu Ngutu Tūī is someone who supports the cry of the Tūī. A speech language therapist is someone who supports people to communicate in their own way.

I love it!

Have you heard this word before? Maybe you know more about it? I'd love to read your comments 🐦

You can find out more about Te Reo Hāpai here: https://www.tereohapai.nz

Photo by Callum Hill on Unsplash.

14/09/2025

Going for a wander in te taiao (nature) is such a great way to connect with your child. Here are some ideas from Kids Greening Taupo to build their reo skills too.

Karawhiua! Give it a go 💚

10/09/2025

Lots of birthdays coming up in the next couple of months...Maybe there's some milestone birthdays in your family?

This handy chart from Speech Pathology Australia outlines communication milestones from 1-5 years old. It's pretty amazing how much kids learn in such a short amount of time!

If you're concerned about your child's communication, get in touch. Speech language therapy helps!

09/09/2025

This video has one of the best tips/explainers for pronouncing the 'rolled' r that is used in Te Reo Māori. It can be a tricky sound if you're not used to saying it but I encourage you to give it a go and keep trying. It WILL get easier and you'll feel so good for getting it right!

08/09/2025

Meet my rock friends Lulu and Lala. Can you guess what sound we were practising with these?

05/09/2025

Some kind words about my work ☺️

"Ruth was wonderful with my 6yo son and created a fun environment where he was relaxed and learning without even realising it. She also provided learning materials to take home for practice. He learnt how to correctly say 3 sounds that he couldn't before, after only 5 sessions - great value for money. Highly recommend to anyone concerned about their child's speech"

20/08/2025

Happy birthday to Word Nerd!

I can’t believe my little business is 1!!

Thank you to my friends and family for cheering me on, and to the wonderful families and educators I’ve met over the last year. It is such a privilege to support you and your tamariki 😀

14/08/2025

Roundle is my word of the day from a clever wee friend of mine. He’s combined round + circle.

Do you have any words like this in your whānau?