Celebrating Culture and Connection Every Day

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day on 4 August is an important reminder of the unique strengths, stories, and traditions of Australia’s First Nations children. It inspires us to reflect on how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are woven into our learning every day through stories, songs, art, and connection to Country.

Why is this day important for children’s learning

This national day encourages children — and educators — to pause and reflect: Who walked this land before us? What stories does Country hold? How can we care for the world around us? For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, it’s a celebration of culture and identity. For all children, it’s an invitation to learn, respect, and connect. As one child said during a storytelling session:

“I didn’t know the rainbow snake made the rivers! I want to draw my own rainbow river.”

Embedding culture into everyday learning at Journey

Cultural learning in early childhood works best when it’s part of daily experiences rather than a one-off activity. At Journey, children explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in ways that spark curiosity, creativity, and joy:

Storytelling that sparks imagination

Dreamtime stories are shared using books, puppets, or sand drawings. Children often act them out, becoming animals or natural elements in the story:

“I’m the frog! I’m hopping to the waterhole!”

Songs, dance, and language

Music and movement bring culture to life. Children love copying animal dances, singing words in language, or listening to clapsticks:

“Can we sing it again? The one with the emu!”

This playful repetition helps children feel confident and builds early awareness of First Nations languages.

Art inspired by nature

Using ochre colours or handprints, children create artworks that tell a story:

“These dots are my family. We’re walking to the big tree.”

Educators explain the meaning behind patterns and symbols, encouraging children to express their own connections to nature and family.

Learning through Country

Outdoor play becomes an opportunity to connect with land: exploring gardens, feeling different textures, or listening for birds:

“The magpie is talking to us!”

These simple moments help children develop respect for Country and the life around them.

Resources that bring cultural learning to life

Journey centres are equipped with authentic, thoughtfully chosen resources to make cultural learning part of everyday play. These include cultural dolls that reflect diversity, felted nature elements that encourage open-ended storytelling, books celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and art, and natural materials like stones, leaves, and ochres to connect children with the environment around them.

Making these learning moments meaningful

Cultural learning is most powerful when it happens naturally during play, invites children to ask questions, and connects to their own lives — for example, linking care for Country to looking after their pets or garden at home.

A continuing journey of respect and connection

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is more than a celebration — it’s a reminder to keep listening, learning, and creating opportunities for children to engage with First Nations perspectives every day. At Journey, we aim to nurture children who grow up with respect, empathy, and a deep love for the land they play and learn on.

See how we bring learning to life every day
Curious about how Journey creates meaningful cultural learning experiences for children? Come and see it for yourself. Book a tour at your nearest centre and discover how we nurture respect, connection, and curiosity from the very beginning.