Learner agency means giving tamariki a voice, choice, and ownership in their learning. It’s about helping Tamariki become active participants in their education, rather than just passive receivers of information.
When tamariki have agency, they:
- Make decisions about their learning (e.g. choosing topics, projects, or how they show what they’ve learned)
- Set learning goals and track their progress
- Reflect on their learning and take responsibility for it
- Problem-solve and think critically
- Feel motivated and empowered because they know their ideas and preferences matter
Why Is Learner Agency Important?
Giving tamariki agency:
- Builds confidence and independence
- Encourages motivation and engagement in learning
- Helps them develop life skills like goal setting, self-management, and decision-making
- Prepares them for the real world, where they’ll need to be self-directed learners
How Can Parents Support Student Agency at Home?
- Encourage independence: Let your child make some choices about their learning at home (e.g. when, where, or how they do homework)
- Ask open-ended questions: “What did you find interesting today?” or “What would you like to learn more about?”
- Support goal-setting: Help them set realistic goals and celebrate progress
- Value effort over perfection: Praise their thinking and effort, not just results
- Below are some other examples of how you can support your child at home.
In Summary
Student agency helps children become confident, curious, and capable learners. When schools and families work together to support this, students thrive — not just in school, but in life.