Click here to learn more about this year’s NAIDOC poster
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
The theme this year is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud‘. This honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We encourage all playgroups and families at home to acknowledge and celebrate NAIDOC Week to foster a better understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We have put together an Acknowledgement of Country song that is perfect for the little ones at playgroup, this song is a great way to introduce young children to understanding and showing respect for Aboriginal culture. Below we have included the Acknowledgment of the Whadjuk People of the Noongar nation, as well as a template to tailor the words to the land your playgroup is on.
Acknowledgement of Country song
Wadjuk People of the Noongar Nation
Acknowledgement of Country song
Template
Click here for an Acknowledgement of Country video: ABC ME Acknowledgement of Country
Click here for more resources: ABC PlaySchool Acknowledgement of Country
Aboriginal Dot Paintings are created by making several small dots of paint to create an entire piece of art – whether it depicts an image or a pattern. To enjoy this activity, simply fill up bowls with different colours of paint and using cotton ear buds (or their fingers), have the children make their own dot painting – make it more interesting and engaging by painting on leaves and gumnuts!
Mount Hawthorn Playgroup used boomerang cutouts for their dot paintings
Using the flag colours of black, red and yellow paints you can make a great Aboriginal flag using hand prints! While doing this activity with the kiddos its a great opportunity to talk about the meaning behind the colours of the flag – red is for the Earth and the land, yellow is for the sun and black represents Indigenous people of this country. Click here for a ‘colours of the Noongar flag’ poster
Have a look at Jarrahdale Playgroup’s art!
Damper is an easy and traditional food to create with simple ingredients and enjoyed warm with butter, jam or whatever you like! Watch Playgroup WA’s very own Aunty Averil make her very special fried damper here.
Always a favourite with children! Make your own playdough and use the colours black, red and yellow to represent Indigenous colours or blue, yellow and white to represent Islander colours. To make this activity more engaging, go on a nature walk to collect fallen leaves, sticks, flowers etc. to add new textures and scents and an opportunity to talk about respecting the land.
We love what Wickham Playgroup did with their playdough and how they incorporated Aboriginal symbols into their activity.
Sand play is not only a great sensory experience for kids but a wonderful opportunity to learn about and draw aboriginal symbols in the sand and an opportunity to discuss and explore different Australian native animals and plants. Click here for aboriginal symbol flashcards.
Incorporate some indigenous reading into story time with some new picture books. These ones from Magabala Books are perfect for little ones. This is a great opportunity to teach your little ones the rich history and culture of Dreamtime stories.
Check out NAIDOC Week Posters for the little ones to colour in.
It could also be a great idea to ask your playgroup families if they have any stories to share or if they know any Indigenous role models who might like to visit playgroup too!
For more ideas visit the NAIDOC Week website or have a look at this fantastic booklet for some more fun activity ideas!
Don’t forget to share the fun with us and tag us in all the things you get up to!
Playgroup WA has been supporting, servicing and establishing playgroups throughout Western Australia since 1972.
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