ERIC Number: EJ1381148
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jun
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1836-9391
EISSN: EISSN-0312-5033
Available Date: N/A
Educator Perspectives on Embedding Acknowledgement to Country Practices in Early Learning Centres in Australia
Townley, Cris; Grace, Rebekah; Woodrow, Christine; Baker, Elise; Staples, Kerry; Locke, Michelle Lea; Kaplun, Catherine
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, v48 n2 p86-98 Jun 2023
This article explores the practices of 'Acknowledgement to Country' in Australian early childhood education contexts. Acknowledgement is a process of seeking out and honouring local Aboriginal Country and knowledge and investing in local resources of language, art, stories, nature and songs. Twenty educators across six early learning centres participated in semi-structured interviews to explore the experience, processes and resources that supported the implementation of Acknowledgement practices. Acknowledgement practices were not limited to a daily protocol but embedded in each centre's physical place and programming. Wanting to be respectful yet fearing offending Aboriginal people, most educators expressed feelings of uncertainty and under-confidence about what to do. Developing relationships with local Aboriginal people and identifying resources were also concerns. Acting from the heart with good intentions was regarded as a way forward together, with commitment, resources and a strong distributed pedagogical leadership culture, where educators felt supported to take small yet foundational steps.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Early Childhood Education, Indigenous Knowledge, Early Childhood Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Cultural Awareness, Culturally Relevant Education, Child Care Centers
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A