Rocky Hall Preschool begin journey to embed Aboriginal perspective into Early Childhood curriculum

We at Rocky Hall Preschool have embarked on a journey to embed an Aboriginal perspective into our Early Childhood curriculum and to establish and maintain respectful, meaningful and lasting partnerships with local Aboriginal Elders, leaders and community.

We are facilitating and supporting Aboriginal Elders, leaders and community to visit the service for local Aboriginal language learning and culturally appropriate activities that are relevant and meaningful to the children, families in the context of our community, and environments.

Nathan Lygon artist and musician, works with children on connections to the natural environment, flora and fauna through art and music with the emphasis on local language and knowledge.
Nathan Lygon, artist and musician, works with children on connections to the natural environment, flora and fauna through art and music with the emphasis on local language (Dhurga) and knowledge.
Nolene Lumby shares cultural knowledge and language learning.
Nolene Lumby shares cultural knowledge and language (Dhurga) learning.
Aileen shares local food plants and histories in the context of the children's local community. She teaches children how to plant and care for local tucker plants in the preschool.
Aileen shares local food plants and histories in the context of the children’s local community. She teaches children how to plant and care for local tucker plants in the preschool.
Chelsy deepens the children's knowledge as she teaches the making animal tracks , the children practice the making of tracks and recogonise animals that they connect to in their lives.
Chelsy deepens the children’s knowledge as she teaches the making of animal tracks.  The children practice the making of tracks and recognise animals that they connect to in their lives.

“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.”

Our program encompasses the Early Years Learning Framework:

“Educators are responsive to all children’s strengths, abilities and interests. They value and build on children’s strengths, skills and knowledge to ensure their motivation and engagement in learning. They respond to children’s expertise, cultural traditions and ways of knowing, the multiple languages spoken by some children, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and the strategies used by children with additional needs to negotiate their everyday lives.”

Cultural competence is much more than awareness of cultural differences. It is the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures. Cultural competence encompasses:

  • being aware of one’s own world view
  • developing positive attitudes towards cultural differences
  • gaining knowledge of different cultural practices and world views
  • developing skills for communication and interaction across cultures.
Story contributed by Jodie Dickinson from Rocky Hall Preschool. Published in 2016.