NAIDOC week is an Australian observance lasting from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday. This is a time to encourage and acknowledge the aboriginal culture, people, and their achievements. During the early years of a child's life, it is important to educate them about the land they walk on and how to respectfully celebrate Aboriginal and Australian life. There are many activities that children and families can get involved in to better understand the culture, we have picked our favourites below!
1) Develop early literacy skills through story time, and what better time to share influential stories than during NAIDOC Week:
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When I Was Little Like You - Mary Malbunka
Author Mary Malbunka shares cherished childhood stories living in Papunya. Her stories allow children to creatively experience the adventures she had as a child from Dreamtime stories, bush tucker, hunting for lizards, and learning about the seasons. Children will find this colourful story full of exciting cultural details that can take them back to Mary as a child. -
My Lost Mob - Venetia Tyson
This story follows an Emu who has lost his mob and is travelling across Australia to find them again. The story has a wide range of bold and colour illustrations that captures Australian scenery and natural Australian animals. A fun story for animal and geography lovers! -
Tell Me Why - Robyn Templeton & Sarah Jackson
A story about the search of a young girl's identity, seven-year-old Sarah asks her great-grandmother the anticipated question of "Who am I?" and "Where am I from?". Her great-grandmother takes her back to the journey of her family history and how it has shaped today.
2) Explore one's creativity with indigenous arts and crafts activities and expand learning opportunities while doing it.
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Dot Painting
Traditional dot painting was a method for some tribes to tell stories about hunting, gathering food or symbols. Dot Painting is a fun activity for children to express their creative side and understand the Aboriginal culture. To gain the full experience, allow the children to find their own natural painting tools such as leaves, sticks, or rocks and combine this with earth-like colours only - this is a great way to let them connect their artwork to Aboriginal nature. -
Sand Symbols
The use of symbols in the sand was a way to preserve stories, culture, and history of the Aboriginal tribes. Sand Symbols are a perfect activity for children to expand their knowledge on Aboriginal Culture. Children can expand their memory skills by re-drawing symbols they may have seen or expanding on their curiosity by asking what a kangaroo or kookaburra track looks like.
3) Get some fresh air with some friends on a nature walk!
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Nature Walk
It's time to explore the land and the beauty it has to offer, allow your children to touch, smell and see different things. Being outside can provide better social skills and implements confidence in them by sharing what they find.
Each year NAIDOC week grows its awareness and depth of culture on a state and national level. Come and join the celebration this year by creating your own ways to build your knowledge on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.
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