Aboriginal and torres strait islander peoples

When early childhood professionals teach children about Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, they are contributing to reconciliation. However, many educators don't know where to start.

A previous theme for National Reconciliation Week was "Be Brave. Make Change". If you don't know how to embed this topic into your program, start by being brave. Speak up, ask questions, and improve your own knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Learning experiences

Learn an indigenous language

Early childhood educators can support children to learn indigenous languages. Start by finding the local languages in your area. Learn a few words or songs.

Use the traditional Aboriginal names for places within your community. Encourage children and their families to use them too.

Play with indigenous small worlds

Read a picture book written by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island author. Retell the same story using small world play.

Use loose parts made from natural materials (e.g. twigs, stones, feathers and textiles) to represent concepts within the story. Place them on a table or in a tray. Let children use them to reenact the picture book.

Learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags

Support children to make their own flags using drawing, painting or collage. What significant features have been included in each flag? Research their meanings.

Be inspired by First Nations art techniques

Introduce children to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, including the materials and techniques they use. Encourage children to experiment with these themselves.

Tjanpi artists are contemporary fibre artists. They create baskets and sculptures from native grasses, seeds, and emu feathers. What can your children make from native grasses?

Albert Namatjira is highly acclaimed for his watercolour scenes of Australian landscapes. What landscapes can your children paint using watercolours?

Lily Kelly Napangardi uses fine dots to paint sandhills using high-contrast tones and minimal colours. Can your children paint their environment using only black and white dots?

Cook using native ingredients

Be inspired by the native ingredients used by Bundjalung man and celebrity chef, Mark Olive. These include wattleseed, lemon myrtle, lemon aspen, muntries, quandong and lilly pillies. Prepare a meal using these ingredients or add them to your playdough.

Cook using native ingredients

Connect with Country

Help children connect with Country through learning experiences about native plants and animals. Establish an edible bush tucker garden that also attracts native birds and insects.

Draw First Nations symbols

Encourage children to draw First Nations symbols with their fingers in a sand or dirt tray. Research symbols, including their meanings.