Throughout National Reconciliation Week 2020, the children at our Winyu Early Childhood Service have been learning about and exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.
They listened, sang and danced along to Taba Naba by Christine Anu and The Wiggles and I am Australian in Yawuru language by ABC Australia. The children enjoyed the different sounds of music and language and responded beautifully to the experience. We also shared these resources with the families at Winyu, to involve them in the experience of celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their amazing cultures.
Our Sky Room children discussed Australian history and watched dreamtime story Tiddalick the Frog by Red Pixels Animation and Kangaroo Dance presented by Fintonm. They also created rainbow snakes, painted boomerangs made from recycled cardboard boxes, and made skirts from recycled materials resembling traditional Aboriginal clothing.
The younger children loved the sensory experience of feeling the black, red and yellow paint on their palm when making handprints, while the Educators shared their understanding of Aboriginal art and the meanings behind each of the colours as they were introducing them to the children.
These experiences initiated rich conversations focusing on Aboriginal histories, art, culture and peoples, both at Winyu and at home.
At YWCA Canberra, we are proud to facilitate learning experiences that promote an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, contributions, knowledge and histories, as part of our contributions to reconciliation.