Creating A Meaningful Acknowledgement Of Country With Children

Acknowledgement of Country is more than a ritual—it’s a daily opportunity to connect children with respect, gratitude, and belonging.

Child-Friendly Acknowledgement Examples

Nature Connection: “We thank the [Traditional Custodians] for caring for this land, the trees, the animals, and the water. We promise to care for it too.” → This ties directly to what children see and do each day.
Belonging & Respect: “We play and learn in [Country]. We say thank you to the Elders—past, present, and emerging—for sharing their stories and keeping this land strong.” → Keeps the focus on gratitude and continuity.
Participatory Version: Invite children to add a line: “Today we are thankful for…” and let them name something from the land (birds, sunshine, or river). This makes it living and evolving.

Educator Tip: Pair words with gestures—touch the ground, point to the sky, ripple hands for water. This makes the acknowledgment sensory and memorable.

For Sydney Area

For Toddlers (simple, sensory, repetitive)

“We are on Gadigal land.
We thank the Gadigal people.
We look after the land,
the sky, the water, and the animals.”

Toddlers respond well to repetition and rhythm. You could pair this with simple gestures: touch the ground, point to the sky, mimic water flowing, and flap like a bird.

For Preschoolers (slightly longer, reflective)

“We play and learn on Gadigal Country.
We say thank you to the Elders—past, present, and emerging.
We promise to care for the land, the water, the animals, and each other.”

Preschoolers can begin to understand the idea of Elders and caring for Country. You might pause after “thank you” and invite them to add something they notice that day (e.g., “the sunshine,” “the gum trees,” “the kookaburras”).

Optional Participatory Version

“We are on Gadigal Country.
We say thank you.
Today we are thankful for…”
→ Children finish the sentence with something they see or feel in the environment.

This keeps the acknowledgement alive and evolving, rather than being rote.

Variation With "Thank You" In Gadigal Language

In the Gadigal language (Sydney area), the word for “thank you” is Didjurigura. You can embed this into your daily Acknowledgement of Country with toddlers and preschoolers to make it both respectful and culturally grounded.

Toddler-Friendly Variation (short, sensory, repetitive)

“We are on Gadigal land.
We thank the Gadigal people—Didjurigura.
We care for the land,
the sky, the water, and the animals.”

Pair with gestures: touch the ground, point to the sky, ripple hands for water, and flap arms like birds. Toddlers connect through movement and rhythm.

Preschooler-Friendly Variation (slightly longer, reflective)

“We play and learn on Gadigal Country.
We say Didjurigura to the Elders—past, present, and emerging.
We promise to care for the land, the water, the animals, and each other.”

Preschoolers can begin to understand the idea of Elders and caring for Country. Pause after “Didjurigura” and invite children to add something they notice that day (e.g., “the sunshine,” “the gum trees,” “the kookaburras”).

Participatory Option

“We are on Gadigal Country.
We say Didjurigura.
Today we are thankful for…”
→ Children finish the sentence with something they see or feel in the environment.

Tips for Embedding Language

Consistency: Use Didjurigura daily so children hear and internalize it.
Visual cues: Add a card or poster with the word and a symbol (e.g., hands together for thanks).
Community connection: If possible, check with local Aboriginal community representatives to ensure pronunciation and usage are respectful.

Do We Need To Consult With An Elder When Creating An Acknowledgement Of Country

You don’t have to speak directly with an Elder before creating or using an Acknowledgement of Country. Anyone can give an Acknowledgement—it’s meant to be a respectful practice that recognises the Traditional Custodians of the land.

That said, consulting with local Elders or Aboriginal community organisations is strongly encouraged if you want your wording to be more meaningful, accurate, and culturally grounded. Here’s why:

Why Consultation Is Valuable

Accuracy: Elders can confirm the correct Nation, language group, and preferred terminology for your area.
Respect: It shows genuine engagement rather than tokenism.
Connection: Builds relationships between your service and the local Aboriginal community.
Learning: Elders may share local stories, language, or practices that enrich your acknowledgement with children.

Practical Approach For Educators

If direct contact with Elders feels daunting, start with local Aboriginal Land Councils or cultural centres in Sydney—they often provide guidance on wording.
Use respectful, simple language with children, but let the community guide you on whether to include local words (like Didjurigura for “thank you”) or specific references.
Keep reflecting: the acknowledgement is not a fixed script, but a living practice that grows with your service’s relationship to Country.

So, while it’s not a requirement, talking with Elders or community representatives is the best way to ensure your acknowledgement is respectful, authentic, and locally grounded.