Australia Day can feel complicated in early childhood settings.
Many educators want to celebrate the richness of this Country and the many ways people understand what being Australian means. At the same time, we can no longer ignore that Australia became the nation it is through colonisation, and that this has had significant and ongoing impacts for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples.
With diverse families and perspectives in every community, it can be difficult to know how to hold these truths together with very young children.
For many adults, this tension is personal. Much of the truth of our shared history was not explicitly taught when we were at school. Only in recent decades has this begun to change, and there is still much learning to do as we move toward reconciliation.
But how do we bring this into early childhood in a way that is meaningful and age-appropriate? Two ways stand out – Community and Storytelling. At Birdwings, we support our Kombumerri community at this time by encouraging our team and families to attend the Dawn Ceremony held by the local Kombumerri Elders, Rangers and extended community.
We go to listen. We go to hear truth-telling, to honour culture, and to stand quietly in support of healing and learning. This experience shapes the way we approach this time of year with children, not through explanation, but through relationship, respect, and care.
We then usually spend the day with our families in nature, connecting to Country in our own way, reflecting on our relationships and learning.
In the week following, we share stories. We have our own stories that we have written to share what we know about this local area. The story of Australia is a difficult one to tell because it begins with sadness. So, for us, one place to begin is with Country.
Country is something children already know through their bodies and experiences. They feel the ground, notice living things, and understand what it means to care. Starting here allows conversations to be grounded in relationship rather than abstract explanation of traumatic events.
Country Was Here First is our story, which was written as a gentle story for children aged five and under. It offers a way to approach Australia Day / Survival Day that is truthful, respectful, and developmentally appropriate. It centres First Peoples as long-term carers of Country and acknowledges the arrival of new people in a way young children can understand, without overwhelming detail.
Most importantly, it opens a conversation that can grow over time.
If you are looking for a way to hold this time of year with care — for children, educators, and families — you are invited to download the story and accompanying educator note and use them in the way that best suits your community. If you are looking for opportunities to learn more about our approach to Ecological Storytelling, check out our training for this year:
