Connect To Country Through Education.

This project is designed to educate, inform and up-skill educators as they begin to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into their practice.

It explores the broader ideas of what is meant by caring for country and connection to country. 

It then covers a range of frequently asked questions to help educators overcome some of the barriers to teaching these perspectives, and to help educators go about incorporating these perspectives in a respectful way, such as appropriate terms of reference.

Back to the Early Learning Hub

Learning Resources for Educators and Parents

Please read through the supporting documents below to get started.

Why use these resources?
Important Tenets
Terms of reference and protocols
Being inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages around your centre
Beginner’s Resource List

Introductory Activities

These activities are designed to give you an understanding of how to introduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives to children and to help you build your confidence in sharing this topic with children and families. They form part of the unit Caring For Country: Introductory Lessons and Themed Activities.

It is recommended that the Introductory Lessons be completed before exploring any of the themed activities with children in order to give them a basic understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

Who Are Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Peoples?
– Early Learning

Children will listen to a story featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander characters or events, and will understand that for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, sharing stories can be a way of sharing knowledge and histories.
Go to Activity

Who We Are
– Early Learning

In this activity, children explore some of the ways they are similar and different to each other. Children create artworks or playdough figures that represent themselves and show some of the ways they are similar and different.
Go to Activity

The Flags Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Peoples – Early Learning

Children recognise that Australia has multiple flags, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Children will create flags to share with visitors to their centre.
Go to Activity

What is Connection To Country
– Early Learning

In this activity, children understand that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a strong connection to Country. Children think about a place that is special to them and create a picture of this place.
Go to Activity

Acknowledgement of Country for Kids
– Early Learning

In this activity, children will understand why we should give an Acknowledgement of Country, and will help to give an Acknowledgement of Country.
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Caring For Your Country
– Early Learning

Children recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have strong connections to Country and that this includes caring for plants and animals that live in this Country. 
Go to Activity

Caring for Country Education Resources

Introductory Lessons and Themed activities
for children

Introduce some big ideas around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples and cultures.

After you’ve covered the big ideas, dig into a range of games, stories, art and dance activities themed around a different element.
Go to Unit

Caring for Country
– [email protected]

Dig into a range of games, stories, art and dance activities themed around a different element.
Go to Unit

Cool Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to land, water and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Caring for Country Education Resources

Introductory Lessons and Themed activities for children

Introduce some big ideas around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples and cultures. After you’ve covered the big ideas, dig into a range of games, stories, art and dance activities themed around a different element.
Go to Unit

Caring for Country
– [email protected]

Dig into a range of games, stories, art and dance activities themed around a different element.
Go to Unit

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© 2022 Origin Foundation and Cool Australia.

Cool Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to land, water and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past, present and emerging.