Background Information

Content information:

The activities in this unit will help you to explore key aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. Exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives with your children will benefit both First Nations and non-Indigenous children.

For any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in your centre, exploring their culture plays a key role in their development, identity and self-esteem, and contributes to the overall well-being of the child.

For non-Indigenous children, embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in their early education experiences is fundamental in creating inclusive and accepting attitudes, and positive race relations. These perspectives are also about celebrating different cultures and the uniqueness of individuals. It is enriching for children to experience the different perspectives and diverse human experiences other cultures can bring to the melting pot.

For more information about why you should aim to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives at your centre - including terms of reference and cultural protocols - visit Caring for Country – Learning for Educators.
To access more activities to support you in exploring and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories in your centre and activities, click here.

It is strongly recommended that you complete these Tuning In Introductory Lessons before sharing any of the Themed Activities with children. The Tuning In Introductory Lessons will guide you to find out more about the Traditional Owners of your area. Having this information will support you in authentically embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in your room and centre as well as guiding you to build genuine relationships with the Traditional Owners of your area.

Part A: Discussion

Step 1.

Begin by inviting children to sit in a circle. Pose the following question to children and invite them to share their ideas:

I wonder who we are talking about when we say Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?

Step 2.

Display a map of Australia (you could use this one). Point to mainland Australia and Tasmania and explain that when we talk about Aboriginal peoples we mean the people who are from the land and waterways in Australia. Now point to the islands of the Torres Strait and explain that when we talk about Torres Strait Islander peoples we are talking about the peoples who are from these islands and waters.

Through your discussion, guide children to understand that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been living in Australia for thousands and thousands of years. They were here long before the first Europeans arrived, before the first cities were built and before the first cars were being driven around. Before the Europeans arrived, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived with and on the land, hunting and fishing and growing their food, raising their families, hanging with their friends and sharing their stories with each other.

Nowadays most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples live in houses and go to school or work and buy their food at the shops. But they still live with and on the land, they raise their families, hang with their friends and share their stories.

Optional: You could also explain to children that for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, stories aren’t just told for entertainment. They are also a way of sharing their knowledge about the world around them and their history.

Step 3.

Now share the flashcard images with children. Invite them to look through these pictures and invite them to share their thoughts and observations about these images. For example:

I wonder what is happening in this picture?
I wonder what this picture makes you think about?
I wonder if we have any questions about this picture?
I wonder how this picture might be connected to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?

The aim of sharing these pictures with children is to provide an opportunity for children to draw connections with their existing knowledge and experiences and to share their ideas and stories with their peers. If children are interested in exploring any details of the images in more depth, use the resource pack to support you in answering these questions.

Part B: Activity

Step 1.

Read the story you have selected for this activity aloud to children.

Before you read, share with children who the storyteller is and if it is clear in the book, where they are from (e.g. this is a story by from land). You could use this map to help you.

You could also explain to children that for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, stories aren’t just told for entertainment. They are also a way of sharing their knowledge about the world around them and their history.

Once complete, engage them in a discussion around the story. You could use the following questions:

I wonder what this story was about?
I wonder what you liked about this story?
I wonder what you noticed about the people in this story?
I wonder what you found out about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this story?

Part C: Possible Lines of Development

Children may have their own ideas about how to extend this activity, or you could consider the following:

Head out in the yard and invite children to lie down and close their eyes. Ask them to imagine what this place might have been like before the buildings and the yard was here: What might they see? What might they hear?
Use the flashcard images to inspire a discussion any connections children have to any of these images
Explore other Caring for Country Introductory Lessons.

Evaluation

Complete an analysis of learning, listing evidence about:

Belonging	Finding something of interest
Communication	Expressing an idea or feeling
Exploration	Engaging with challenge and persisting when difficulty arises
Wellbeing	Being involved

Caring for Country: Who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples?

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Summary

Activity guides and printables

Activity Details

Curriculum Mapping

Resources Required

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