The concept of community is a prominent theme in Australian early childhood education and The EYLF. Early childhood educators can help children access people and places within their community, learn about their local area, and develop a sense of belonging.
Communities are places to live, explore, learn and socialise. Each one is unique and there is a great difference between communities in cities and rural areas.
Children will have varying knowledge about their local area, depending on how long they have lived there and the level of their family's community participation.
UNCRC, NQS and EYLF
Children benefit from belonging to and learning about their community. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states children have the right to meet with other children and young people and to join groups and organisations.
Quality Area 6 under the National Quality Standard recognises communities as fundamental to achieving quality outcomes for children.
EYLF learning outcomes
The Early Years Learning Framework asks children to develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation (2.1). Children learn to cooperate (4.1) and connect with people and place (4.4).
Learning experiences
Read a book
Introduce children to the concept of community by reading a book:
- Belonging by Jeannie Baker
- My Place by Donna Rawlins and Nadia Wheatley.
Make a map of your place
Using an extra-large piece of paper, ask each child to draw something in their community. The end result will be lots of small drawings that relate to the place you live in.
Alternatively, if your children prefer construction, build your community with blocks, cars, people and loose parts.
Explore Google Maps
Look at your own community on Google Maps. Can the children identify any places? Can they find their own houses? Next, look at other communities around Australia and the world! How do other people live? What are in their neighbourhoods?
Learning environments
Display large photos of your community
Take photos of prominent community locations and print them in a large size. Display them on your walls for the children to see. Even if you never visit these places together on an excursion, the children can still share their personal knowledge of these places with each other.
Family and community connections
Provide feedback to council
Support children in providing feedback about their local community to the council. Brainstorm things that the children like and dislike about where they live (e.g. "there is too much rubbish at the beach" or "magpies swoop me"). Write down their ideas and ask them to support their feedback with drawings, photos or other evidence. Submit this in a folder to the council.
Alternatively, provide feedback when the council asks for submissions. Look for topics that are relevant to the spaces children use, like parks and playgrounds.
Leave kindness rocks
Kindness rocks is an international trend. Children paint rocks and leave them in the community for others to find. A message on the back of the rock usually asks the recipient to take a photo and post it to a dedicated Facebook page. However, you can make your own rules.
Five more ways to connect with the community
- Make introductions between families and community services.
- Hold workshops about early childhood education for families and the wider community.
- Encourage staff to speak publicly about early childhood education at community events.
- Form win-win relationships with community organisations. Aim for mutual respect.
- Get to know your neighbours. Read about solving conflict with neighbours on The Spoke.
Interactions
- Talk to children about the places you visit in the community: "I love zucchini, I buy mine from the market".
- Use community language, like the town/suburb you live in or the name of the traditional owners of the land you are on.
- Talk about the similarities between children at your service: "Both Isacc and Catie live near the police station".
Routines
Take children into the community for short but regular excursions. Learn about spontaneous outings on CELA.
Events
28th of January is Global Community Engagement Day. Read about how this idea started in South Australia in 2018.
Discussions
- Ask children about the places they visit on the weekend (e.g. playground, park, shops).
- Ask children how they travel to care (e.g. walk, drive, bus).
- Do the children participate in local sports?
- Who is in our community? Remember, important people are not just emergency service workers. Talk about waiters at cafes, shop attendants, garbage collectors and early childhood educators!
Reflections
- How can management encourage staff to join community organisations with the purpose of forming partnerships?
- How is your service perceived by the community?
Resources
Read Family and community resources on ACECQA.
Picture books
- Belonging by Jeannie Baker
- My Place by Donna Rawlins and Nadia Wheatley