A journey of learning Indigenous cultural appreciation during NAIDOC week

This NAIDOC week, the children engaged in an interactive learning experience to celebrate and recognize the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Mini bush tucker food adventure 

The children went on a mini bush food adventure from Wednesday to Friday. They prepared and tasted dried Quandong (desert peach) and snacked on delicious native Riberry (lilly pilly) and Quandong jam toast. On Friday, they got hands-on when they baked their own cookies with native ingredients like lemon myrtle, strawberry gum, and wattleseed. The educators prepared educational posters to talk about the native ingredients.

The kindergarten children spoke about what NAIDOC means and read ‘Walk with us’ by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing

What is NAIDOC? “Celebrating the Aboriginals,” said one of the children. When do we share our Acknowledgment to Country? “Every morning,” said another child. We then discussed why we commemorate. The children used their wonderful memories to answer the questions. We also read ‘Walk with us’ by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing.

The pre-prep educator brought their family’s didgeridoo to create an interactive learning experience for the children

The children discovered Aboriginal dance and songs. The educator brought their family’s didgeridoo. Together, they looked at the beautiful dot paintwork first and then watched a play school music and dance video of the didgeridoo playing, mimicking the sounds and actions of a bird. We all grabbed a musical instrument, played a didgeridoo song, and danced away, making music with our hands, feet, and hearts.

The children thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful artwork of the ‘Welcome to Country’ Dreamtime. As they created a boomerang painting, they were inspired to write their stories in the red sand, using the Aboriginal symbols on the chalkboard.

Afternoon tea turned into a bush tucker food adventure for the toddlers

The toddlers went on a bush tucker food adventure, tasting traditional food for afternoon tea. Munching on warm toast with Riberry jam (Lilly Pilly) and a refreshing Riberry drink. It looked like a little tea party, with all the children enjoying toast with Riberry drinks in little paper cups.

The next day, the toddlers gathered around the table for a baking experience. They engaged their senses—sight, smell, touch, and taste—as they explored the ingredients, including ‘strawberry gum’, another Indigenous bush tucker, for this NAIDOC week educational program. (FYI: did you know strawberry gum is a native gum trea, also known as ‘Eucalyptus olida’). Examining each ingredient, appreciating the aroma of vanilla essence before adding it to the bowl along with the other ingredients. Then, we moulded the mixture and carefully placed it on the tray, counting each unbaked cookie. We then brought it to our chef, who lovingly baked the cookies. And… we got to taste our strawberry gum cookies for afternoon tea! What a wonderful experience.

Cardboard boomerang making and practiced dot painting in the nursery

The nursery children also joined the NAIDOC week program. They made boomerangs from cardboard and painted them using an Aboriginal technique: dot painting. They used brown, orange, and white, which are colours often found in Aboriginal art. The children did very well during this experience and were focused on completing their masterpieces. Later in the day, the children gathered around and listened to some beautiful Indigenous songs. Most of our little friends moved their bodies and danced to the music. This is a great way to introduce and celebrate NAIDOC week to our youngest learners.

Together with the toddlers, the children learned the nursery song ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes’ in the Yugambeh language. 

Integrating cultural awareness and respect into the Enrich Early Education educational approach

At Enich Early Education, we integrate cultural awareness and respect into our educational approach. The NAIDOC week program aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework for Queensland and the National Quality Standards for early learning, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for our nation’s Indigenous heritage. Through interactive activities and experiences similar to the ones described in this blog, the children developed a stronger sense of identity, well-being and connection to the world and land they live on. All of these are key learning outcomes in the EYLF. The program meets the NQS requirements by fostering an inclusive environment and promoting respect for diversity.

How the NAIDOC week program fits in the Early Learning Foundational Framework:  

Element 1.1.2: Each child’s current knowledge, strenghts, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of hte program. 

Element 1.3.3.: Families are informed about the program and their child’s progress. 

Element 5.1.1.: Responsive and meaningful interactions build trusting relationships which engage and support each child to feel secure, ocondifend and included.