This finding underscores that the next generation should learn more about our unique Indigenous cultures. Do you want me to be with your child or photograph your child? Additionally, it's about celebrating culture, education, historical acceptance, race relations and reconciliation. In a recent interview for podcast Mamamia, Aunty Phyllis Marsh, a First Nations Cultural Educator at West Moreton Anglican College in Queensland, discussed how cultivating understanding should start from the earliest age and begins by taking children outside to explore the natural world around them. She said its great to make such a positive impact on the childrens lives in the early years. In this context, my why is centred around creating an anti-bias, anti-racist and inclusive curriculum. We consistently need to support our early childhood educators both during their studies and at work places. (2019). Explore all of our reconciliation resources on the ECA Shop. Many educators feel that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history was not taught well during their formal schooling and are now engaging in a process of unlearning and relearning. Read the terminology guide from Narragunnawali on using respectful and inclusive language and terminology. Alabama Gov. It is here that educators can participate in cultural immersions experiences, build their cultural capacity and transfer this new knowledge and understanding into the program and practice throughout the rest of the year. Aboriginal Storytelling in Early Childhood (Pre-Recorded Webinar). Error The episode Hopalong was played in the Arrernte language while the educator read out the English subtitles until the children asked the educator to be quiet as they found this episode self-explanatory even in a language other than English. He was told it was pointless to speak his language, since his friends couldnt understand him. Future-proof Australia against welfare dependency and inequality, Stay and Play at the QUT Childrens Technology Centre during Live Wires, Playwork at Forrest Out of School Hours Care, Fulfillment and four-wheel driving: The life of an ECA Inclusion Professional, A story of self-care within early childhood education and care. INTRODUCING INDIGENOUS TEACHINGS TO YOUR CHILDREN. Additionally, my why is also linked to my understanding of how education is key in Closing the Gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians. Findings suggest the principles from two cultural models of education - Reggio Emilia and a pedagogical framework called the Nunga Way . Lamb, C. (2019). Adam, H. J., Barratt-Pugh, C., Jackson-Barrett, L., & Somerville, R.S. Kay Ivey on Friday announced she replaced her director of early childhood education over the use of a teacher training book, written by a nationally recognized education group, that . One of the best resources that educators can access is their local community. Our perspectives about most things are informed and shaped by our day-to-day interactions. These are known as the Koorie Cross-Curricular Protocols. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to receive quality early learning programs, educators need to understand the trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people historically in mainstream institutions and the important steps they need to take to create culturally inclusive environments and build trust. Manjula Waniganayake, Professor of Early Childhood Education, at the School of Education, Macquarie University is a researcher and teacher educator, contributing to the preparation of numerous cohorts of ECEC teachers. Jessica has worked in early childhood for fifteen years for a range of service providers in both urban and regional communities. encourage best provision and maintenance of culturally safe and responsive . Tobin, J. Copyright Early Childhood Australia Inc. 2023, Exploring Indigenous ways of knowing and being. We have an eye for identifying compelling and award-winning narratives that capture the unique heritage and diverse lives of Australia's first peoples. With deep critical thinking, community conversations and correct protocol, your language music project can engage children in new ways and help connect everyone to culture. This study captures the perspectives of parents and practitioners from 5 countries: England, France, Germany, Italy and USA. There is a growing body of research on childrens awareness and understandings about race, culture and discrimination and their sense of identity and justice for others. Just like crafts, activities, and videos -- there are tons of resources online geared toward teaching children about indigenous culture. Jessica Staines is a Wiradjuri Woman, early childhood teacher and Director of the Koori Curriculum. When you are a child or an adult of colour, in many locations, there is however no escaping that you are visibly different from the majority of people in your community in Australia. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The older children who came into the Yera Childrens Service after school were content to sit with the younger children (a bit like the characters, Little J and Big Cuz) to watch the episodes. Likewise, a Mexican parent in the USA asked would it kill them to teach my child to write her name before she starts kindergarten? (p.15). Despite recent efforts to bridge the gap, men remain underrepresented in the education sector due to cultural, social, and political attitudes. Little J and Big Cuz: This animated series follows the lives of two Aboriginal school children as they explore themes of Indigenous identity, connection to country, traditional knowledge and cultural practices. Visit the Foundations for S. For Australia it also includes promoting greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being. (Belonging, Being & Becoming The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (P.14). Explore our Celebrating Culture category on the ECA Shop that features childrens books, ECA publications, Learning Hub modules and research-based resources. As childrens social and cultural environment influences their learning and brain development, early childhood is the time to promote and celebrate cultural difference, to nurture positive views of multiculturalism in the future. 184 0 obj <> endobj Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti said the funding increase, included in the 2023-24 State Budget, would support implementation of a new system and ensure the sustainability of . There is growing awareness and effort in Australian classrooms to understand, respect and support cultural differences, but are we starting early enough? You can incorporate it in small ways like practicing daily gratitude, reading a new book every week, or creating art. Copyright 2020 Aboriginal Culture in Early Years - All Rights Reserved. Queensland educator, JULIE LEE DAVIDSON takes us through the importance of preserving Indigenous languages and suggests ways to incorporate them into early childhood curriculums.Exploring ways for children to learn Indigenous languages helps build awareness . programs designed specifically for Indigenous children play a key role in supporting children to develop their cultural identity Ideas for both families and child care practitioners Compile a range of digital and printed materials in your children's traditional language, including signs and pictures as well as books and magazines. National Aboriginal Islander Day Observance Committee is what NAIDOC stands for and celebrations occur each July to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For instance, it was found that Turkish immigrants living in France appreciated the academic focus of the ecole maternelle the French preschools. Teachers can also benefit from having time to reflect critically on problems, such as cultural marginalisation, caused by lack of diversity. Come back when you're older. hXmo6+E@qqAD-24~wG8v}b|G(`Jz&3h^A}RiJ2Yo)7,l-:qL*` aa=`J7fiC[fq1Y`d1cNH#~\ SB]9y((a>dp=\ It begins with a commitment to listen and learn and a willingness to negotiate and being open to new ideas. Dr Somayeh Ba Akhlagh lectures in early childhood education at the University of New England (UNE). Theyre capable of handling it and were here to help you navigate these lessons with them. The NSW Department of Education is committed to employing the best and brightest teachers who can teach and make a difference in NSW public schools. Educators need to start where they feel comfortable and confident and often these experiences can be seen as a tourist approach; for example, listening to didgeridoo music, painting with red, black and yellow colours and cooking bush tucker etc. With increasing political, economic and social tensions world-wide Tobin (2020, p.11) despairs that challenges encountered by immigrant/refugee/asylum seeker families have become more acute. Additionally, when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources, tools and artefacts are available at a service, ensure they are utilised in play and not used in cultural corners as a display. Referring to Reggio Emilias powerful impact on Australian EC settings, Giamminuti suggested that we re-imagine ECEC services as spaces for the common good, embracing the possibility of an ethic of alliances. Focusing on the relational nature of encounters enable us to focus on the links or connectivity's of our experiences. We recognise the Ongoing Custodians of the lands and waterways where we work and live. The television series was integrated into the transition from play to lunchtime. Additionally, teachings like the medicine wheel help us understand the cycle of life, nature, and the human experience. Lessons in cultural competence: 5 ways to embrace cultural diversity in your service. I found that many Australian early childhood educators were unprepared or unsure how to support and incorporate cultural difference in the classroom, which can have a lifelong impact on children and their cultural awareness. Every child matters. Eight Australian picture books that celebrate family diversity. Australian educators understanding of cultural expression also seemed one-dimensional. It is important to be sure on your why and your teams collective why. The Wellbeing Framework supports schools to create learning environments that enable students to be healthy, happy, engaged and successful. Finding these kinds of resources will not only help you learn, but give you a way to share what you find with your children. Last updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2021. Your email address will not be published. Aborigines loved making art. We live in a country where more than half of us were either born in another country or have at least one parent born overseas. 241 0 obj <>stream This is enshrined in both Australias Education and Care Services National Law and the National Quality Framework. Honouring cultural diversity involves collaboration between children, families, and teachers as well as those beyond EC services. Aborigines were the first people to inhabit Australia. You can also give your children the opportunity to choose how they would like to participate. If youre a teacher, incorporating indigenous culture into the classroom is one of the best ways we can start teaching children about these topics at a young age. It is hard enough to get refugee families to bring their children into ECEC services. After the episode, the educators set up a campsite in the playground and several of the children recounted the cooking part of this episode. Having culture in early childhood is great for the little ones so they know where they came from and they can be proud of who they are. Research on educational television suggests that, when coupled with expert educators, video can be beneficial to a childs development by assisting them to understand different contexts, develop their emerging language and literacy skills, and support their social and emotional development. Visit our Aboriginal access webpage for advice on connecting with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities. We recognise the Ongoing Custodians of the lands and waterways where we work and live. President Nelson Mandela's statement says it all: " There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.". endstream endobj 188 0 obj <>stream The following articles published in the Sector newsletter also offer useful strategies and resources that can be used to honour cultural diversity in EC services. Additionally, Aboriginal art seems to be a highly controversial subject of which there is lots of conflicting advice. Journal of Research in Childhood Education. First, the impact of interaction between the child and others is seen transactionally, not additively. I have been working in the early years sector for over 20 years and have been sharing Aboriginal Culture in Kindergartens, Early Childhood Centres and Primary Schools for 10 years. We strive to ensure every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learner in NSW achieves their potential through education. For educators to support agency they must be aware of the capabilities and interests of the children they work with. Early childhood education and care settings can promote perspectives that support Aboriginal communitys own distinct culture such as understandings of their connection to place. The tools and technologies mentioned were familiar to the children because several of them go camping with their families. Anything in here will be replaced on browsers that support the canvas element. These experiences can be planned or spontaneous. Importantly, as research by Leon Straker et al points out, the inclusion of digital technology in ECEC settings is framed within an expectation that it will be used in collaboration with adults for intentional teaching. These experiences will enrich your childrens lives in meaningful ways and teach them about a beautiful and special culture. Honouring cultural diversity involves collaboration between children, families, and teachers as well as those beyond EC services. However, there is not enough focus on this in Australian settings. Celebrating culture with all age groups and not only in the pre-school room. NSW Department of Education's information on curriculum taught in NSW schools, Aboriginal education and communities & personalised support. Sorry, the content of this store can't be seen by a younger audience. She works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are starting their careers in early childhood. First steps - the NSW Aboriginal children's early childhood education strategy 2021-2025 (2021) Indigenous participation in early childhood education and care - qualitative case studies September 2016 Key resources on improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in early education and care services (2019) Exploring the context of your service may include: This could be a starting point for students to investigate the Indigenous history of their local river. Please enable scripts and reload this page. In this piece, weshare the importance of Indigenous culture and language in the early years through case studies and the series Little J & Big Cuz. This includes branching into some deeper topics and learning how to incorporate what youve learned into your childrens daily lives. have no essentials, {{ firstName }} Lets uphold our commitment to children by being intentional in acting ethically to honouring the richness of our pluralities. sE!A@Al[L`uAuL5@Fer TNJB1qc[M@.}aL_xXfm*sHH`]iI0* /!krx8f8<>@[ 3H`kwHX]f>["(Bt,w Her understanding of diverse cultural expression in early learning came from her personal experience of seeing the way her children participated in activities like painting and drawing, which she acknowledged was different from what she taught. National Quality Framework (NQF) eLearning modules, Quality Support Program Dual Program Pathways, Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) resources, developing an awareness of the traditional custodians of the land and the language/s spoken, working collaboratively with children, families and the local community to develop an Acknowledgment of Country that signifies respect for Aboriginal culture, exploring the connectedness to the land and respect for community protocols, sensory exploration and responsiveness to the natural environment through play, exploration of how living things are interconnected and the interdependence between land, people, plants and animals. The Conventions centrality in early childhood education and care (ECEC) is built into the Early Years Learning Framework (DEEWR, 2009) as follows: that all children have the right to an education that lays a foundation for the rest of their lives, maximises their ability, and respects their family, cultural and other identities and languages. (p.1), Embedded in the National Quality Standard Quality Area 1, child centred programs are the core or the foundation of every ECEC service. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603110701433964, http://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/quality-professional-learning-look-like-early-childhood-teachers/. Having made that effort, what can we do to enable these children to stay and thrive? You need education to get somewhere in life, Shandell said. ECA perspective: Australias First Nations children, Stay and Play at the QUT Childrens Technology Centre during Live Wires, Playwork at Forrest Out of School Hours Care, Fulfillment and four-wheel driving: The life of an ECA Inclusion Professional, A story of self-care within early childhood education and care. hb```VB cc`ay$X$Cq fM6::>$(.cJDJg/K@$,e%_`Z"s} Start teaching your children about indigenous culture with toys and activities they are already enjoying. By connecting to people or community groups who have knowledge and expertise on living culture, educators can build relationships with these communities and invite them to participate as part of the learning program. %PDF-1.5 % If youre worried its too soon to start teaching your children about indigenous culture, this is the moment to set that worry aside. Overall, these teachings help us learn and understand more about topics we encounter every day. Teachers must follow protocols for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The EYLF states that children are effective communicators when they engage with and gain meaning from a range of texts, both print- and screen-based, and when they use information and communication technologies to access information, explore diverse perspectives and make sense of their world. Aboriginal people have had multiple losses, which still have an effect on their emotional health. The National Quality Standard (NQS) makes it essential for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services and educators to understand, and help children learn about, the history, culture and contemporary lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The article shares findings from research and reflects on strategies to support children and families from refugee/migrant backgrounds. Supporting children's learning in early learning centres to embed aboriginal culture into their curriculum. As it is not always practical for educators to provide such opportunities face-to-face, digital technology presents an alternative way in. Yera Childrens Service educator Keiryn Christodoulou incorporated all episodes of Little J & Big Cuz into her early childhood groups social and emotional development program. Shandell Washington is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mentor in Toowoomba. ECA advocates to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children aged birth to eight years. Before joining UNE in 2020, she taught early childhood courses and educational psychology in various universities in Australia and overseas. Feedback from the educators included that the teacher resources provided a good starting point for the incorporation of Indigenous perspectives in the preschool curriculum. Children love making art, so make the connection and teach them about aboriginal culture by making an art project. It is a point of entry into this way of knowing. We are the peak early childhood advocacy organisation, acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood field. This provides rich opportunities to build a culture of understanding and respect for the environment for all children. Shandell also works as an educator at the Learning Pathways Kindergarten in Toowoomba. By embedding cultural learning in the early years educators can impart the wonder of Indigenous knowledge, and support Aboriginal children's sense of identity and belonging, as well as promoting a culture of understanding and respect towards cultural diversity for all children. So, the critical years from birth to the age of eight are ideal for introducing the concepts of cultural diversity.