What does Australia Day mean to you?

As Australia Day fast approaches for yet another year, let’s reflect on what this day means for?us as individuals, as a team, as a centre (with your children and families), as a community and as part of the early childhood sector.

The National Australia Day Council (NADC) supports facilitating celebrations of Australia Day and what it is to be Australian. In the 2021-2022 NADC Annual Report, Danielle Roche OAM, Board Chair says:

“The story of Australia has in some way shaped all our lives, from the place we live to the way we see our place in the world, and what it means to each of us to be Australian. Australia Day is when we reflect, respect and celebrate our own stories, the stories of those around us and the stories of those who helped shape our nation and its identity.” - National Australia Day Council, 2022, p. 2.

It is easy to be heavily influenced by the media and engage in the “consumerism concept” for celebrating Australia Day – Australian flags, face painting, sausage sizzles, green and gold, cricket (not that there is anything wrong with doing these, but what does it mean to you?). But, if we take time to pause and consider the above statement by the NADC Board Chair:

• What is your Australian story?
• What is your centre’s Australian story?
• How are we being inclusive of all Australian stories – not only on Australia Day but every day?

Your pedagogical decisions, planning and practice

It is important as the day approaches that you take time to stop and ask yourself questions about your pedagogical decision-making, and the role you play in supporting children to understand what it means to be Australian and celebrate their identity (Hydon, 2018) .

We have an incredible opportunity in the early childhood sector, to shape how young children see themselves in their world, and develop a sense of self and of others, knowing that they have their own rights and voice (Early Childhood Australia, 2019) . If we consider the United Nations Rights of a Child, Article 29 states “Education should develop each child’s personality and talents to the full. It should encourage children to respect their parents, their cultures and other cultures”.

With such a topic, there will be diverse thinking amongst us as educators, but it demands us to be thoughtful, professional and respectful in our views and opinions – we are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to inform our practice (Early Childhood Australia, 2019) .

• How are we sharing with children where and with whom they belong?
• How are we supporting children to seek and make meaning of their world?
• How are we supporting children’s learning to participate fully and actively in society?

(Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR], 2009) .

Principle 4 of the EYLF is on respect for diversity, acknowledging that there are many ways of living, being and knowing (DEEWR, 2009, p.14). For Australia, this also includes promoting a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being (DEEWR, 2009, p. 14). Principle 5 of the EYLF for ongoing learning and reflective practice, describes our practice of ongoing learning by engaging in questions of philosophy, ethics and practice. We do this when we co-learn with our children, families and community, by valuing the continuity and richness of local knowledge that is shared by community members, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders (DEEWR, 2009, p. 14).

What we all do will look different, as it is dependent on our region, our community, our children, our families, and ourselves – all this, shapes what it will look like and the considerations we make. What is essential to these considerations is that we are thoughtful, informed, respectful and guided by our professional standards and skills as part of the sector (Early Childhood Australia, 2019) .

Further information…

It can be overwhelming to know where and how to begin increasing your own understanding, but what matters is that we do begin (Early Childhood Australia, 2019) . Here are some places where you can go to find resources, ideas and further information:

• ATSI acknowledgement 2021?video
• The NADC is active in contributing to reconciliation, with the development and commitment to their Reconciliation Action Plan, found?here.
• Narragunnawali
• SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
• Reconciliation Australia
• The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

References

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR]. (2009). Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. Australia: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Retrieved from?https://files.acecqa.gov.au/.../belonging_being_and...

Early Childhood Australia. (2019, January 23). A change of heart as well as date. The Spoke- Early Childhood Australia's Blog. Retrieved January 2023, from?https://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/chang.../...

Hydon, C. (2018, January 25). Australia Day - it's time to change. The Spoke - Early Childhood Australia's Blog. Retrieved January 2023, from?https://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/australi.../

IPA Site Admin. (2012, May 01). UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from International Play Association: promoting the child's right to play:?https://ipaworld.org/.../un-convention-on-the-rights-of.../

National Australia Day Council. (2022). Annual Report 2021 - 2022. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved January 2023, from?https://cms.australiaday.org.au/.../NADC%20Annual...