Emu eggs, tapping sticks and other Aboriginal artefacts were used as part of a research project involving students from Southern Rise Kindergarten.
The Now Play Project was conducted by researchers, Janet Scull and Anne Keary, from Monash University and looked at using learning experiences to support children's language and literacy development through incorporating Indigenous languages.
The kindergarten collaborated with Tim Clark, a KESO (Korrie Engagement Support Officer) as children read stories, drew pictures, explored some Aboriginal artefacts and created paint with ochre and painting on paperbark.
The children also explored different Aboriginal symbols and their meanings and engaged in dancing.
Wodonga Council Educational Leader, Jessica Pollard said it was a wonderful experience to work with Tim, Anne and Janet to plan and implement engaging learning experiences exploring Indigenous languages through stories and using artefacts as provocations to extend children’s knowledge of Indigenous culture as part of the project.
“The children who participated were very engaged and interested in the activities we planned and demonstrated their ideas and learning through their responses to the stories and their drawings and paintings,” she said.
“I look forward to the possibility of continuing the project next year.
“The children particularly enjoyed painting on paperbark with ochre and drawing symbols in the sand, as well as having a go at using the emu caller to make noise.”
Wodonga Council played a role in filming a series of videos featuring children taking part in the learning activities.
The videos will be used as one of the tools in a toolkit to support and assess Indigenous children’s language, literacy, and cultural knowledge, and for supporting Indigenous children with language difficulties.
The toolkit will be adaptable and useful to Indigenous communities across Canada and around the world.
Widespread implementation of the toolkit in Indigenous communities in Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden will provide data for assessing its impact on children’s learning and on the knowledge and practices of family members, teacher educators, and researchers.