Acknowledgment Of Country Ideas For The Babies Room

For babies, the Acknowledgment of Country is often expressed through sensory-rich, rhythmic, and visual experiences that help them connect to the land and its Traditional Custodians in developmentally appropriate ways. The following article provides Acknowledgment Of Country Ideas For The Babies Room.

Daily Rituals with Movement and Song

Use simple, repetitive verses like:

Here is the land, here is the sky,
Here are my friends and here am I.
We thank the [Traditional Owners] for the land on which we play and learn.

Pair the words with gentle hand gestures or Auslan signs to support engagement and comprehension.
Incorporate clapping, tapping, or swaying to create a calming rhythm babies can feel and anticipate.

Visual and Sensory Displays

Create a visual Acknowledgment of Country board with photos of local Country—trees, rivers, animals—and the name of the Traditional Custodians.
Include natural materials like bark, sand, or leaves in sensory trays to foster tactile connections to Country.
Display Aboriginal symbols or artwork at baby eye level to build familiarity and respect.

Storytelling and Books

Read First Nations board books that introduce Country, animals, and connection to land (e.g., Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy).
Use puppets or soft toys to act out simple stories about caring for the land and saying thank you.

Connection Through Routine

Embed the Acknowledgment into transitions—before meals, group time, or outdoor play.
Use calm, consistent tone and repetition so babies begin to associate the words with a sense of belonging and respect.

Family and Community Voice

Invite families to share how they connect with Country or cultural practices at home.
If possible, collaborate with a local Elder or Aboriginal educator to co-create a baby-friendly version of the Acknowledgment that reflects your specific Country.

Interactive Cultural Baskets

Create a “Country Basket” with natural items like smooth stones, leaves, feathers, and sand—collected respectfully and safely.
Include Aboriginal-designed fabric swatches or soft toys with Indigenous patterns for tactile exploration.
Rotate items seasonally to reflect changes in Country and spark curiosity.

Lullabies and Soundscapes

Play gentle instrumental music by First Nations artists during rest time.
Use recordings of nature sounds from local Country—like birdsong, wind, or water—to create a calming sensory link to land.
Introduce a “Welcome Song” with a soft beat and repetitive lyrics that acknowledge the Traditional Custodians.

Handprint or Footprint Art

Invite babies to create handprint or footprint art on a canvas that includes a simple Acknowledgment of Country.
Display it at baby eye level with the names of the Traditional Owners and a photo of local Country.

Daily “Gathering Time” Ritual

Use a special mat or yarning circle rug to gather babies each morning.
Lightly tap a rhythm on a soft drum or clapsticks while saying a short Acknowledgment.
Keep it consistent so babies begin to associate the space and sound with respect and connection.

Photo Books of Country

Create a baby-safe photo book with images of local Country—trees, animals, rivers, sky.
Include photos of the children engaging with nature and add simple captions like “We care for the land” or “Thank you to the [Mob] people.”

Cultural Puzzle or Felt Board

Use a felt board with symbols like sun, land, water, and people to tell a visual story of Country.
Let babies explore the textures and shapes while you narrate a simple acknowledgment.