A guide to NAIDOC Week in your Early Learning Centre
NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is a time all Australians to come together to honour the rich cultural heritage of our First Nations people and their ongoing contributions to their communities and our country as a whole. Early learning centres play a crucial role in acknowledging NAIDOC Week in order to promote cultural understanding and celebration from an early age.
NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is a time all Australians to come together to honour the rich cultural heritage of our First Nations people and their ongoing contributions to their communities and our country as a whole. Early learning centres play a crucial role in acknowledging NAIDOC Week in order to promote cultural understanding and celebration from an early age.
One of the key objectives of NAIDOC Week is to increase awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. To achieve this, Early Learning Centres can organise a range of activities that help to foster respect, appreciation and understanding of Australia’s First Nations people among young children.
With just one month to go, it’s time to start planning your NAIDOC Week activities. We’ve put together a list of ideas that are sure to be a hit in your early learning centre.
Discover your area’s origins
Understanding the history of the land your early learning centre is on, as well as its cultural significance, is the ultimate way for children to get a genuine understanding of our country’s heritage. Make contact with your council who may be able to connect you with local elders willing to tell the story of the land you’re on, and the parts of Indigenous culture that are unique to your area.
Themed activities
Age-appropriate activities are a great way to support children to feel connected and have an understanding of Indigenous culture.
Sensory trays
Theme sensory trays can be adapted for a range of age groups. Use a base such as sensory sand, and consider adding in Australian animals and bush materials. Explain to older children the significance of the bush materials you’ve included, and what they would have traditionally been used for. These Story Stones, designed by a local Nyungar artist, are great to include for older children, as they assist with symbol recognition and comprehension and aid in your storytelling.
This resource from the Australian Government gives some background into bush materials used for medicinal, food and tool purposes.
Puzzles
Introduce problem solving skills, develop fine motor skills, promote teamwork and spark conversation with puzzles. We stock a number of themed puzzles that tell stories of Indigenous Australians and showcase the works of many talented artists.
Storytelling
Our Dreamtime Story Sets come with CDs and a book, perfect for your daily story time. Children will learn all about our rich cultural origins through a range of engaging stories.
Get out into the community
If you’re wanting to head offsite for a few hours, keep an eye out for community events such as dance performances and cultural festivals, which offer a platform for children to get a firsthand experience of everything they’re learning about in your centre.
For our full range of resources for your NAIDOC Week activities, visit our website.
