Resources
- Working with children who speak Indigenous languages/dialects
- Partnering with family and community
- Working with children’s first language(s)
- Understanding the local context
- The impact of Australia’s history on Indigenous languages
- Resources
- Building on Indigenous children’s strengths
- Which Indigenous languages are spoken where?
- Mapping Indigenous languages
- Traditional languages
- New contact languages
- Englishes
- What is a dialect?
- How children learn Standard Australian English as an additional language or dialect
- A day in the life of …
- The difference between language and literacy learning
- The role of language in learning
- Bilingual schools
- Setting up for success
For educators
- Foundations for Success
The Foundations for Success website has many video resources with culturally appropriate ideas and inspirational videos from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This video shows Indigenous educators working with children’s first language, Yarrie Lingo (a creole), while adding English and Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators working with three languages – Yumplatok (a creole), English and a traditional language, Kulkalgau Ya.
Being a communicator – language development strategies in Indigenous early education
- This short video explores the benefits of bilingualism that is, being able to speak two languages, and some of the different types depending on when extra languages are added to our repertoires, along with the cognitive benefits. Note that Indigenous people’s multilingualism may or may not include all aspects of literacy (such as reading and writing) in their languages.
The benefits of a bilingual brain - Mia Nacamulli
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RacismNoWay
To learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ histories, the link goes to a timeline of events in Australian history.
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Gambay map
First languages Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from different language groups talk about their traditional languages and what they mean to them:
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Sending mail using Traditional Place names
Rachael McPhail, who has Gomeroi heritage, acknowledges traditional languages in some innovative ways. She has championed the idea of using traditional Country as part of mail addresses, which could be introduced on your preschool email, letterhead or signage. Note that sometimes there might be ongoing debate in the community about traditional owners for places so consult with local staff, council and land council etc.
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Tracks to Two-Way Learning
This resource, developed collaboratively by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers, educators and community people, has three parts: a Facilitators Guide for delivering professional learning, twelve Focus Areas and three Sample Workshops.
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Families as First Teachers (FaFT)
The Families as First Teachers (FaFT) program is an early learning and family support program for remote Indigenous families. The aim of FaFT is to improve developmental outcomes for remote Indigenous children by working with families and children prior to school entry.
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Remote Indigenous Professional Development Package for the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia
This professional development package about the Early Years Learning Framework aims to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff with a place to start their discussions about how they work with each other, children, families and the community.
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'We communicate' planning cards
Use the 'We communicate' planning cards for EYLF Outcome 5 to create activities that challenge children, and build language skills, confidence and self-esteem. This resource is from The Remote Indigenous Professional Development Package. -
Growing up children in two worlds: Building Yolŋu skills, knowledge and priorities into early childhood assessment and support
This website shares Yolŋu knowledge and ideas about child development and child rearing from a research project in northern Australia. It is designed to help people from outside the community work more effectively with Yolŋu children and their families.
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The Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages
This is a digital archive of literature in Aboriginal languages from the Northern Territory, Kriol or traditional languages. It can be searched by language name or via a clickable map. Most books have an accompanying English translation in the back.
For children
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Rising Star
‘About the Episode’ information outlines the languages and places featured. Note you should check with local staff before using resources in other Indigenous languages with your preschool children.
Rising Star is a series of web-based Indigenous early childhood videos produced by the Northern Territory Music School. Each episode has segments in English as well as in a selection of Northern Territory languages, traditional and new.
- Indigenous Literacy Foundation
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has a program of supplying Indigenous communities with engaging new and culturally appropriate books. It also supports publication of bilingual books in Indigenous languages, traditional and new, and English. Some of these are recorded by their Indigenous authors. -
Little Yarns
Little Yarns is a co-listening podcast series for preschoolers. Each episode of Little Yarns will take you on a journey to a different nation to learn a first word on Country. It is appropriate for families listening together at home or as a listening resource in early learning centres. - Little J and Big Cuz
This animation series features young Aboriginal children and their Nanna at home and out and about. It also includes scenes at school and is useful for preparing children to transition to ‘big school’. The series is in English and includes some iconic vocabulary associated with Aboriginal ways of speaking English, such as ‘mob’. There are educator notes specifically for early childhood settings. The series and educator resources are freely available online.