Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Kid/s will explore the ways that water is important to people and animals. They will also learn that traditional cultures – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – may use stories to share knowledge about the world around them. This activity is designed to give you an understanding of how to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into activities and to help you build your confidence in exploring this topic with your kids.

This activity is a great one to do together as a family.

Ideal for: Early Learning, Lower Primary.

Themes:

  • playtime
  • fresh air
  • think and connect

Time required: 20 minutes

Curriculum connections: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, Literacy, Creative thinking.

Tips for Parents and Carers

The activities in this series have been designed to give you and your kid/s an opportunity to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures through stories, games and arts and crafts. Before beginning this activity it would be useful to read through this information. There is also a list of resources to help you conduct your own research.

The benefits of embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives: 

  • For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids, exploring their culture plays a key role in their development, identity and self-esteem, and contributes to the overall well-being of the child.
  • For non-Indigenous kids, embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in their early education experiences is fundamental in creating inclusive and accepting attitudes, and positive race relations. These perspectives are also about celebrating different cultures and the uniqueness of individuals. It is enriching for children to experience the different perspectives and diverse human experiences other cultures can bring to the melting pot (source).

About this activity:

  • Like many other traditional cultures around the world, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may use stories to share knowledge of their Country, their culture, their history and the world around them. These stories may be told orally through song or stories or through movement, such as dance. In this activity, kid/s are encouraged to tell their own stories; telling stories can help kids make sense of the world around them while providing opportunities to connect with their families and carers.
  • This activity incorporates activities to support oral language development. To find out more, click here and here.

Lesson & Curriculum Details

Resources Required

  • Water play tables or buckets/tubs filled with water
  • Access to a device to play a clip.

 

This activity has been developed with the support of the Philipp Foundation and the Thyne Reid Foundation.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Activity Instructions

Part A: Activity

Step 1. Begin by explaining to your kid/s that you will be watching a First Nations Creation story about Tiddalick the frog (if you have access to the book you could read it instead). Explain to children that the story of Tiddalick is found in many parts of Australia, but the version shared in this clip belongs to the Gunnai Kurnai people of Gippsland (share your map with children to show where this is):

Tiddalik (https://youtu.be/bs-qUWomHtM)

Step 2. Once you have viewed the story, you could talk about what you noticed in the story, for example:

  • I wonder what happened in this story?
  • I wonder what you liked about this story?
  • I wonder what this story makes you think about?

Tip: Why use ‘I wonder..’ questions? Find out here.

Part B: Discussion

Step 1. Now take your kid/s outside to a water play table, or provide some small buckets of water for them to dip their hands into.

Encourage your kid/s to play with the water as you chat a

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