Creating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander displays in early childhood education (ECE) settings is about more than decoration—it’s about embedding cultural respect, identity, and belonging into the learning environment. Here are some practical and meaningful approaches. 

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

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives is not a themed week or a token gesture; it’s a commitment to truth-telling, respect, and inclusion woven through everyday practice. Done well, it strengthens children’s sense of belonging and deepens their connection to Country, done poorly, it risks tokenism, cultural harm, and misrepresentation.

This guide supports educators to embed Indigenous perspectives in ways that are meaningful, safe, and aligned with the EYLF, NQS, and service philosophy.

Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuous cultures, with First Nations Peoples holding stories, knowledge, and connections to Country that stretch back more than 65,000 years. Now, educators and students can explore these stories in a new way through Deep Time, a digital resource created by the ABC Education team.

In early childhood education, stories are more than entertainment; they’re vessels of culture, emotion, and connection. Aboriginal children’s books that explore water, wind, and nature offer rich opportunities to embed Indigenous perspectives, foster environmental awareness, and support holistic development. When paired with the 8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning and the EYLF, these stories become powerful tools for relational, symbolic, and experiential learning.

Music is a universal language—and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, it’s also a powerful vessel for storytelling, ceremony, and connection. Introducing Aboriginal music into early learning environments not only enriches children’s understanding of Australia’s First Nations peoples but also fosters respect, curiosity, and cultural awareness from a young age.

This is a free template for families to participate in the Sea of Fish Challenge during NAIDOC Week 2025. 

As part of National Reconciliation Week, Early Childhood Australia is offering two free professional learning courses. Initiating a Reconciliation Action Plan: Where do I start? and Reconciliation in Children’s Education and Care: Taking the First Steps, available free until 3 June.

Introducing Indigenous Australian stories to young children is vital for fostering cultural awareness, respect, and understanding. It teaches children about the histories and realities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, promoting empathy and inclusivity, and emphasizes the importance of caring for the land and respecting nature, instilling a sense of responsibility in young readers. The following article provides a list of Top 10 Popular Indigenous Australian Books For Young Children, Main Themes Explored In These Books, Linking These Books To 8 Aboriginal Ways Of Learning, and more. 

Yulunga means playing in the language of the Kamilaroi (Gamori) people of northwestern New South Wales. Suitable for preschool children, Yulunga can be used as an educational resource and as a guide to inclusive, structured sport within communities, developed by the Australian Sports Commission.