Formal:
* Kia ora, e tamaiti. (Kia ora, e tamaiti.) This is the most general greeting, meaning "Hello, child." It's respectful and appropriate for any age.
* Kia ora, e hoa mā. (Kia ora, e hoa mā.) This means "Hello, friends." It's a good choice for a group of children.
* Ata mārie, e tamaiti. (Ata mārie, e tamaiti.) This translates to "Good morning, child." It's more formal than "Kia ora."
Informal:
* Ata, e tamaiti. (Ata, e tamaiti.) This is a more casual greeting, meaning "Good morning, child."
* Tena koe, e hoa. (Tena koe, e hoa.) This means "Hello, friend." It's suitable for children you know well.
* Mauri ora, e tamaiti. (Mauri ora, e tamaiti.) This means "Good health, child." It's a nice way to wish the child well.
Adding a touch of affection:
* You can use "e teina" (little brother) or "e teina" (little sister) instead of "e tamaiti" for younger children. This adds a sense of warmth and familiarity.
* You can use "e hoa aroha" (dear friend) instead of "e hoa" to convey affection.
Remember:
* It's always good to smile and make eye contact when greeting children.
* If you're unsure about which greeting to use, it's always best to err on the side of formality.
Bonus:
* Me pēhea koe? (How are you?) is a common way to ask how someone is doing.
* He pai. (I'm fine.) is a common response.
By using these greetings, you can show children that you respect their language and culture.