Glen Education Aspendale North
Building a Culturally Inclusive Learning Community
By Stacey, Rebecca, Wida, Cherry, Jemma, Kristina and Indigo
Creating a Learning Environment of Belonging
This term, we have placed a strong emphasis on building a learning environment that reflects the rich cultural backgrounds of our children and families. Our aim is to create a space where every child feels a deep sense of belonging, pride in their identity, and curiosity about the world around them.
Embedding a Daily Acknowledgement of Country
One of our key focuses this term has been introducing and embedding a daily Acknowledgement of Country. This has become a meaningful part of our morning routine, helping children develop respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the traditional custodians of the land we live and learn on.
Through group discussions, we’ve explored what it means to care for Country and why it’s important to acknowledge the stories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations communities.
Reconciliation Week: Hands-On Cultural Learning
During Reconciliation Week, children were offered to participate in a hands-on experience, where each child was offered to create a snake using clay and decorated their snakes using paint. This experience was inspired by the Rainbow Serpent, an important figure in the Aboriginal Dreaming stories.
Children were also offered to create their versions of the Boomerangs and share a comment about their creation. Educators further extended the children’s learning, with group discussions about Reconciliation Week and invited them to share their views about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Family Involvement Enriches Our Program
To further support our inclusive approach, we have expanded our celebration of cultural diversity by inviting families to contribute to our program. We believe that families are a vital part of children’s learning journeys, and their involvement brings authenticity, richness, and real-world connection to our curriculum.
A Taste of Culture: Vietnamese Paper Rice Rolls
This term, we were delighted when Cherry introduced Vietnamese paper rice rolls to the group. This hands-on cultural experience was a wonderful way for the children to engage with Vietnamese traditions through food, sensory exploration, and conversation. It sparked curiosity and invited questions.
Storytelling That Reflects Our Diverse World
Our storytelling experiences have also reflected our commitment to cultural responsiveness. Children have been contributing their own stories, some based on cultural experiences shared at home - whether it is a holiday to a country or reading books in different languages - others sparked by family traditions or languages.
We’ve supported them through drawing, role play, and shared writing, helping children see that their stories matter and deserve to be heard. These group discussions and one-on-one times have opened up conversations about different ways of life, celebrations, food, languages, and values.
We are truly grateful to all the families who have supported us in building this inclusive learning environment. Whether it’s sharing a family recipe, reading a story in your home language, bringing in photos, or simply talking to us about your child’s culture, we deeply value your contributions.
As the term continues, we look forward to exploring more ways to celebrate our diverse community and strengthen the connections between home and early learning. Together, we are nurturing a space where every child feels safe, respected, valued, and proud of who they are.
Warm regards, Aspendale North Kindergarten Team