Assignment: Exploring A&TSI Resources in Early Childhood Settings

This assignment focuses on exploring resources related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (A&TSI) culture within the context of early childhood education and care. Part A involves creating a resource folder with information on A&TSI organizations, including their contact details and services. Part B requires describing four resources, such as books, artifacts, posters, and music, that can reflect positive images of A&TSI culture. Part C analyzes a specific children's book, 'Rabbit And Bear Paws,' and a song, 'Gapuwiyak - The Water Song,' detailing their relevance to the target age groups, and suggests activities and props for classroom implementation. The assignment demonstrates an understanding of cultural sensitivity, resourcefulness, and the ability to integrate cultural elements into early childhood education to foster inclusivity and promote children's understanding and appreciation of A&TSI culture.

Running head: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Part A
1. A&TSI organizations
Name – Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
Address- PO Box 1445, Fitzroy North VIC 3068 /
Suite 8, First Floor, 252-260 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy VIC 3068
Contact details- : 03 9489 8099
Description of services provided-Provides multifunctional childcare services to the aboriginals
like crèches, childcare services, early childhood education, family support services.
Name – Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP)
Address-340 Bell Street
Preston VIC 3072
PO Box 494, Northcote Plaza
Northcote VIC 3070
Contact- Ph: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
Description of services provided- They provide a wide range of services to the aboriginal
children, protecting their rights and also work for the strengthening of the aboriginal culture,
young people.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Name - The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA).
Address- 14 Horan Street, West End QLD 4101
Contact details- Ph: 07 3102 4119
Description of services provided- They work for the improvement in the health and wellbeing of
the aboriginal children and families, such as preservation of the rights, equal access to education
and health care.
Websites that may assist you in supporting the cultural identity of A&TSI children and
families
1.Name of website: SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
Website URL (address)- https://www.snaicc.org.au
Description of information that can be found on the website and how it can be used-They
represent the interest of the Aboriginal people, to preserve the right of the aboriginal people and
their families. Contains different links to resources and referrals for children
2. Name of website: Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS)
Website URL (address)- https://www.ecms.org.au
Description of information that can be found on the website and how it can be used- Provides a
wide range of information about the different kinds of educational strategies for children as per
their developmental needs.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
3. Name of website: Best Start
Website URL (address)- https://en.beststart.org/
Description of information that can be found on the website and how it can be used- The website
contains information about the organization, multimedia resources in different languages over a
broad range of topics related to early child development. Most of the resources can be
downloaded free of cost.
4. Name of website: Beyond Blue
Website URL (address)- http://www.qaihc.com.au/about/our-members
Description of information that can be found on the website and how it can be used- This website
contains information about different health care services available for the Aboriginal children.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Part B
Resources
1.
a. The name of the resource- Books
b. A brief description of the resource- Books containing aboriginal bed time stories or
traditional stories giving an idea about their culture.
c. How the resource can be acquired (borrowed, purchased, made etc)- The resources can be
purchased for a long term purpose.
d. How it can be used to reflect positive images of A&TSI culture- This would help the
aboriginal children feel valued and will also increase the acceptance of an aboriginal
child in the classroom.
2.
e. The name of the resource- Artifacts
f. A brief description of the resource-Aboriginal artifacts can be weapons, ceremonial items
or utilitarian items.
g. How the resource can be acquired (borrowed, purchased, made etc)-Made
h. How it can be used to reflect positive images of A&TSI culture- Aboriginal artifacts
would increase interest about aboriginal culture among the children.
3.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
a. The name of the resource- Posters
b. A brief description of the resource- Posters containing picture about aboriginal people,
their living area, ways of gathering food.
c. How the resource can be acquired (borrowed, purchased, made etc) - Purchased from
websites.
d. How it can be used to reflect positive images of A&TSI culture- children will be able to
understand more about aboriginal culture that would help in inclusion.
4.
a. The name of the resource- Music
b. A brief description of the resource- aboriginal musical instruments like gum-leaf,
didjeridu.
c. How the resource can be acquired (borrowed, purchased, made etc)- Borrowed
d. How it can be used to reflect positive images of A&TSI culture- Aboriginal music are
different from that of the normal western music. This would enhance motivation among
the other children to learn about their culture more and socialize with children from
Aboriginal background.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Part C
Book
a) Name of book/story -Rabbit And Bear Paws : Sacred Seven (Chad Solomon)
b) Description- This consists of seven books based on seven elements- courage, honesty,
humility, love, respect, truth and wisdom. Each of the books had featured a respected
animal like Buffalo, mouse, Bigfoot turtle and some more. Through this, the young
heroes can understand the traditional values by understanding the action of each of the
animals.
c) Age group- 4-6 years
d) A class will be arranged for educating the children about moral values. This storytelling
activity and the books should be used during this session.
e) Props that can be used- Cut outs of the seven animals, cards imprinted with the seven
qualities.
f) Suggest how this story could be followed up with the children-After the completion of
the entire storytelling activity, Cut out of all the animals described in the story can be
arranged for and the children can be encouraged to write each of the seven qualities
behind the cut outs. Some of the students can also be chosen to dress up like the animals
describe to increase the element of fun.
Music

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
a. Name of piece- Gapuwiyak - The Water Song
b. Brief description- This song is written by Gapuwiyak with Shellie Morris, for encouraging
children to drink more water, and its importance in our life.
c. Identify age group at which it is targeted -3-4 years.
d. Describe how you would use the music with a group of children-This song can be
taught while teaching children about the importance of water in our life.
e. List any props you would use- Drums and Tambourine can be used as backup instruments
for the song.
f. Suggest how this experience could be followed up with the children- A music period
will be set at alternate days, as music enhances the social, emotional, motor and the
intellectual development of a child1.
1 Brandt, Anthony K., Robert Slevc, and Molly Gebrian. "Music and early language acquisition." Frontiers in
psychology 3 (2012): 327

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Bibliography
Armstrong, Stephanie, Sarah Buckley, Michele Lonsdale, Gina Milgate, Laura Bennetts
Kneebone, Louise Cook, and Fiona Skelton. "Starting school: a strengths‐based approach
towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children." (2012).
Brandt, Anthony K., Robert Slevc, and Molly Gebrian. "Music and early language acquisition."
Frontiers in psychology 3 (2012): 327.
Ihmeideh, Fathi M. "The effect of electronic books on enhancing emergent literacy skills of pre-
school children." Computers & Education 79 (2014): 40-48.