Walking Together: Embedding Cultural and Indigenous Practices in Early Learning
Walking Together: Embedding Cultural and Indigenous Practices in Early Learning
Support Group - Monday 25th August 2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania)
6:30pm - 8:30pm South Australia, Northern Territory
6:00pm - 8:00pm Western Australia
Individual - $119 - Team - $499
Tax Deductible, Certificate received for Professional Development
EYLF v2.0 | NQF | Theorists | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
Overview:
True cultural inclusion is not a checkbox — it’s a commitment. This professional learning session supports educators to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and diverse cultural practices respectfully, authentically, and meaningfully within early learning environments.
Grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0), National Quality Framework, and relevant developmental theory, this course will explore how cultural identity, connection to Country, and community voices enrich children’s development and sense of belonging.
We’ll move beyond token gestures and explore how to:
What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and diverse cultural practices in respectful, authentic, and meaningful ways.
True cultural inclusion is not something we “add on” — it’s a commitment to honouring identity, history, Country, and community every day. This session moves beyond token gestures to help educators create environments and programs where all children feel seen, valued, and connected.
Grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework v2.0, the National Quality Framework, and relevant developmental theories, this session explores how to weave cultural ways of knowing, being, and doing into everyday routines, play, and relationships — with humility, care, and intention.
Whether you're just beginning this journey or deepening your practice, you’ll gain the confidence and clarity to walk alongside children, families, and communities in creating culturally safe and inclusive learning spaces.
Session Topics:
1. Why Cultural & Indigenous Embedding Matters
A look at children’s rights, identity formation, and the moral responsibility of educators in Australia to honour First Nations histories and cultural diversity.
2. Cultural Identity & Developmental Theory
Connect theory to practice:
Maslow: Belonging as a foundation for learning
Erikson: Identity and pride in cultural self
Vygotsky: Culture as a framework for meaning making
Bronfenbrenner: The role of family, community, and systems
Gardner: Linguistic and interpersonal intelligences in cultural storytelling
Reggio Emilia: Honour the 100 languages of culture and expression
3. Practical Strategies for Embedding Culture
Welcoming environments: signage, languages, art, Country maps
Culturally inclusive provocations in all learning areas
Sharing local language words through daily routines
Traditional stories and symbols in art and storytelling
Celebrating culture with community, not just about culture
Invitations to care for Country through sustainability, land-based learning
4. Age-Appropriate Cultural & Indigenous Experiences
Across six age groups (0–12 months to 8–12 years), with ideas for:
Songs and lullabies in First Nations languages
Nature walks and caring for Country
Dreaming stories, music, and bush tucker
Language cards and local community engagement
Creating acknowledgment rituals in group time
Cultural craft using natural or traditional materials (respectfully) 5. EYLF v2.0 & NQF Integration
Outcome 1: Identity
Outcome 2: Connectedness
Outcome 4: Learning through culture and diversity
Outcome 5: Multilingual and multicultural communication
NQF Quality Areas: QA1, QA5, QA6, QA7
Connections to Principles: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, Partnerships with families, Cultural competence
6. Reflection & Action Planning
What does it mean to embed culture rather than display it?
What relationships and knowledge do I still need to deepen?
What story does our environment tell about whose culture matters?
10 Reflection Prompts
Support Group - Monday 25th August 2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania)
6:30pm - 8:30pm South Australia, Northern Territory
6:00pm - 8:00pm Western Australia
Individual - $119 - Team - $499
Tax Deductible, Certificate received for Professional Development
EYLF v2.0 | NQF | Theorists | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
Overview:
True cultural inclusion is not a checkbox — it’s a commitment. This professional learning session supports educators to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and diverse cultural practices respectfully, authentically, and meaningfully within early learning environments.
Grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0), National Quality Framework, and relevant developmental theory, this course will explore how cultural identity, connection to Country, and community voices enrich children’s development and sense of belonging.
We’ll move beyond token gestures and explore how to:
- Embed cultural ways of knowing, being, and doing
- Create spaces that reflect diverse families, languages, and identities
- Engage in collaborative relationships with First Nations communities
- Use everyday routines and play as opportunities for truth-telling and cultural pride
What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and diverse cultural practices in respectful, authentic, and meaningful ways.
True cultural inclusion is not something we “add on” — it’s a commitment to honouring identity, history, Country, and community every day. This session moves beyond token gestures to help educators create environments and programs where all children feel seen, valued, and connected.
Grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework v2.0, the National Quality Framework, and relevant developmental theories, this session explores how to weave cultural ways of knowing, being, and doing into everyday routines, play, and relationships — with humility, care, and intention.
Whether you're just beginning this journey or deepening your practice, you’ll gain the confidence and clarity to walk alongside children, families, and communities in creating culturally safe and inclusive learning spaces.
Session Topics:
1. Why Cultural & Indigenous Embedding Matters
A look at children’s rights, identity formation, and the moral responsibility of educators in Australia to honour First Nations histories and cultural diversity.
2. Cultural Identity & Developmental Theory
Connect theory to practice:
Maslow: Belonging as a foundation for learning
Erikson: Identity and pride in cultural self
Vygotsky: Culture as a framework for meaning making
Bronfenbrenner: The role of family, community, and systems
Gardner: Linguistic and interpersonal intelligences in cultural storytelling
Reggio Emilia: Honour the 100 languages of culture and expression
3. Practical Strategies for Embedding Culture
Welcoming environments: signage, languages, art, Country maps
Culturally inclusive provocations in all learning areas
Sharing local language words through daily routines
Traditional stories and symbols in art and storytelling
Celebrating culture with community, not just about culture
Invitations to care for Country through sustainability, land-based learning
4. Age-Appropriate Cultural & Indigenous Experiences
Across six age groups (0–12 months to 8–12 years), with ideas for:
Songs and lullabies in First Nations languages
Nature walks and caring for Country
Dreaming stories, music, and bush tucker
Language cards and local community engagement
Creating acknowledgment rituals in group time
Cultural craft using natural or traditional materials (respectfully) 5. EYLF v2.0 & NQF Integration
Outcome 1: Identity
Outcome 2: Connectedness
Outcome 4: Learning through culture and diversity
Outcome 5: Multilingual and multicultural communication
NQF Quality Areas: QA1, QA5, QA6, QA7
Connections to Principles: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, Partnerships with families, Cultural competence
6. Reflection & Action Planning
What does it mean to embed culture rather than display it?
What relationships and knowledge do I still need to deepen?
What story does our environment tell about whose culture matters?
10 Reflection Prompts