Australia

Australia

Living in Australia is something all children at Australian childcare centres share in common, even if they identify with another country's culture or have recently immigrated. This topic can unify children and makes a wonderful group project.

Australia aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) learning outcomes, as it connects children to place (4.4) and helps them develop a sense of identity (1.3) and belonging (2.1).

Extend this interest to include nature education (2.4) and respect for diversity (2.2). Teach children about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, native Australian animals and native Australian plants.

Learning experiences

Examine maps

Preschool children may learn to identify the shape of Australia and know where they live on a map. Introduce them to maps of Australia and encourage observations and questions. Let the children lead the conversations and learning.

Maps of Australia are not limited to stencils and posters:

Explore interactive maps by Geoscience Australia that show varied information about our country.
View an interactive weather map of Australia from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Provide children with an atlas of Australia. These books have many pages so children can explore all the different areas of the country in detail.

Explore diverse cultures

The Australian Human Rights Commission writes:

"Australia is a vibrant, multicultural country. We are home to the world's oldest continuous cultures, as well as Australians who identify with more than 270 ancestries. Since 1945, almost seven million people have migrated to Australia. This rich, cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It is central to our national identity."

Introduce children to some of these cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Also, teach cultural concepts that are part of the Australian identity:

The beach, including surfing, swimming and life saving.
Sport, including Australian rules football and cricket.
Farming and rural living.
Outdoors recreation, including hiking, camping and 4x4 driving.

Learn more about Australian culture on the SBS Cultural Atlas.

Look at landmarks

People travel to Australia to view our incredible natural and man-made landmarks. Visit landmarks in your local area and look at pictures of others in books or on the internet:

Blue Mountains, Bondi Beach, Daintree National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Great Ocean Road, Kakadu National Park, Kimberleys, Mount Kosciuszko, Parliament House, Pinnacles, Rottnest Island, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Uluru, and Whitsunday Islands.

When children find a landmark they are interested in, they can learn more about it by drawing it or constructing it out of clay, pop sticks, plaster or recycled packaging.

Ask the landmark's local tourist information centre to provide relevant information and or brochures.

Examine Australian currency

Incorporate Australian play money into your learning experiences. Babies and toddlers may enjoy putting it in and out of purses and bags. Toddlers and preschoolers can use it to buy items from a pretend shop.

In small groups, allow children to examine real notes and coins. Encourage observations and questions. The children may notice the significant Australian people and symbols that feature on our coins and banknotes, which could lead to further explorations within this topic.

Make your own flag jigsaw puzzle

Teach children about the Australian National Flag. Read about the flag's history and symbolism, written by the Australian Government.

Children can draw, paint or even create a collage of the flag on cardboard. They then cut it into large shapes to make an Australian flag jigsaw puzzle.

Learning environments

Feature resources about Australia

Surround children with resources relating to Australia. Add items to the learning environment, including fiction and non-fiction books, photos, posters, costumes, cultural artefacts, and animal toys that are native to Australia. Play music about Australia.

Use these as provocations. Talk to babies and toddlers about the objects to develop their vocabulary (e.g. "koala", "beach", "flag"). Encourage toddlers and preschoolers to ask questions and direct the learning.

Allow children to interact and play with resources rather than restricting them to a display table or wall.

Avoid resources featuring stereotypes, including cartoon images of Australian people. Provide authentic artefacts. Remember, the goal is to establish a sense of identity and belonging.

Family and community connections

Make a map

Encourage families to contribute to the children's learning about Australia. Provide a map in your foyer with sticky labels and a pen. Family members write their name on a label and stick it to the map. The stickers can mark their favourite places to visit, places where they were born, or other locations of personal significance.

Brainstorm

Place a large sheet of paper in your foyer with pens and a sign saying, "What does the Australian identity mean to you?" Ask children and families to write or draw their own understanding of what it means to be Australian. Discuss the results with the children.

Australia Day

Australia Day is held on 26th January, however early childhood education and care services should consider the impact of celebrating this day with children and families. Many First Nations people and non-indigenous Australians consider this date to be Invasion Day or Survival Day, and would like the celebration abolished or the date changed.

Discussions

What is Australia?
What does being Australian or living in Australia mean to you?
What is special about Australia?
Where have you been in Australia?
What do you like or dislike about Australia?

Reflections

Is this topic helping to unify the children?
Is this topic helping children strengthen their identity and sense of belonging?
Are children using various communication methods to express and investigate ideas about Australia?
Are children leading the learning and taking the topic to new and exciting areas?