From the Early Years

First Nations Perspectives

27 May – 3 June is National Reconciliation Week in Australia. A week dedicated to learning about shared histories, cultures, and achievements and exploring how we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

Children naturally embrace and welcome the uniqueness of others. In the ELC, we seek regular opportunities to embed authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into our learning program as we believe that all children deserve to learn about our Australian history and the rich and diverse cultures of our First Nations peoples. By doing this, we strengthen all children’s sense of belonging and identity and encourage respect for the histories of the First Nations peoples and a genuine understanding of the land we live on.

'Educators recognise that diversity contributes to the richness of our society and provides a valid evidence base about ways of knowing. 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

ELC children participate in yarning circles daily and confidently greet each other in Kaurna. We explore Aboriginal Art symbols and sing traditional songs. We read stories and practise counting and naming colours in Kaurna. We view and explore traditional artifacts and natural resources, supporting awareness of our First Nations people and our joint connection to country. We regularly acknowledge and pay respect to the land in which we learn and play on and promise to take care of it, as the Kaurna people have done for thousands of years.

As part of our celebrations for National Reconciliation Week this year, the ELC children have learnt the words to a lullaby, Inanay, sung in Yorta Yorta language. Joined by the Year 6 ukulele ensemble, we performed the song at our Reconciliation Assembly.