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'We Love Sharing Your Land': Children's Understandings of Acknowledgement to Country Practices and Aboriginal Knowledges in Early Learning Centres

Authors :
Cris Townley
Kerry Staples
Christine Woodrow
Elise Baker
Michelle Lea Locke
Rebekah Grace
Catherine Kaplun
Source :
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood. 2024 49(2):155-168.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

This paper explores children's understandings of Acknowledgement to Country practices and Aboriginal knowledges. Guided by the relational lenses of respect, responsibility and reciprocity, we conducted focus groups with children across five Australian early education centres. We found that Acknowledgement practices were evident through recitation of their Acknowledgement to Country, engaging with artefacts, and/or discussion of artworks. Secondly, children demonstrated emerging understandings about place names, the symbolic use of flags for places and people, and Australian plants and animals. Thirdly, Aboriginal cultures as living cultures were evident in temporal discussions about people and culture. Finally, imaginative play implied efforts to make sense of Aboriginal concepts and language. Across the study, children were active in experimenting with ideas in their own meaning making. Acknowledgement to Country was not a moment in the day; rather, it was embedded throughout the day through routines, storytelling, play and creative activities, all designed to foster learning.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1836-9391 and 0312-5033
Volume :
49
Issue :
2
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1426188
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391241242150