Many educators want to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in their classroom but aren't always sure where to begin.
Embedding First Nations perspectives doesn't need to be limited to NAIDOC Week or Reconciliation Week. Meaningful inclusion happens when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledges and perspectives are visible and valued throughout everyday learning.
Here are some practical ways to get started.
1. Include First Nations books in your everyday reading
One of the easiest places to begin is your classroom bookshelf.
Choose books written and illustrated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and incorporate them into regular story time, literacy activities and classroom discussions.
Explore our First Nations Children's Books for stories exploring Country, culture, family, language, identity, history and more.
2. Explore Country through play
For younger children, play provides wonderful opportunities to explore ideas about Country, animals, plants and connection to place.
Natural materials, sensory play, storytelling resources and open-ended play experiences can encourage children to observe, question and learn about the world around them.
Our Sensory Play Resources have been selected to help educators bring meaningful learning opportunities into early childhood and primary classrooms.
3. Explore Aboriginal ways of teaching and learning
Embedding perspectives isn't simply about what we teach. It can also involve thinking about how children learn.
Storytelling, learning through Country, visual learning, observation, relationships and hands-on experiences can all provide opportunities to broaden classroom practice.
Our collection of Teacher Resources includes practical resources to support educators wanting to deepen their knowledge and build confidence.
4. Bring First Nations perspectives across the curriculum
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives can connect with learning across literacy, science, mathematics, geography, history, art and environmental education.
For example, students might investigate native plants and bush foods in science, explore Aboriginal storytelling through literacy, learn about caring for Country through sustainability, or investigate First Nations scientific knowledge and innovation.
The key is moving away from seeing First Nations content as an occasional activity and towards recognising the many authentic connections that can be made throughout the curriculum.
5. Make First Nations perspectives visible all year
Take a look around your learning environment.
Are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives visible throughout the year, or do they tend to appear mainly around significant dates?
Books, puzzles, games, classroom displays, maps, resources created by First Nations businesses and locally relevant information can all contribute to a learning environment where First Nations cultures are part of everyday learning.
Explore our Classroom Decor and Flashcards, Games & Puzzles for more ideas.
Start small, but make it meaningful
You don't need to change everything at once.
Choose one area of your classroom or program and consider how you can strengthen the First Nations perspectives already present.
Most importantly, continue learning, seek local community guidance where appropriate, choose authentic resources and look for opportunities to move beyond one-off activities towards meaningful, ongoing practice.
At Riley Callie Resources, we bring together First Nations books, educational resources and classroom materials to help educators create learning environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, histories and cultures are shared and celebrated.