Learning, Reflecting, and Connecting
At Redfern Cottage, we acknowledge and respect the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn and play, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. This acknowledgement isn't just a line we say once a year — it reflects an ongoing commitment to helping children understand, respect, and connect with First Nations culture and history, woven throughout our programs all year round.
Why This Learning Matters So Early
Early childhood is one of the most powerful windows we have for shaping respect and fairness. Children at this age are open, curious, and forming their first ideas about identity, belonging, and community. Helping them build an early understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures lays a foundation of empathy and inclusion that stays with them for life.
Age-Appropriate Learning Across Our Rooms
We approach this learning differently depending on each child's age and stage, always through play, story, and genuine connection rather than abstract lessons.
In our Tiny Wanderers room, the youngest children explore through sensory and play-based experiences — listening to calming Indigenous music, exploring natural materials, painting with earthy colours, and enjoying simple stories and songs that build a sense of belonging and connection.
In Little Explorers, children dive deeper into hands-on creativity. They explore Indigenous symbols through art, take part in group storytelling, dance to music, and create collaborative artworks while learning about caring for the land and respecting others.
In our Preschool rooms, conversations grow richer and more reflective. Children explore Aboriginal symbols and flags, listen to Dreamtime stories, and create meaningful artworks, while group discussions help them understand concepts like community, kindness, fairness, and connection to Country. Through mapping activities and group reflections, our older preschoolers begin to grasp what respectful relationships within a community look like, and why they matter.
A Place With Deep Meaning
Being based in Redfern — a place with deep and ongoing significance to Sydney's Aboriginal community — gives this learning extra weight for our families. It's a privilege to help children grow up with genuine respect and curiosity about the culture and history connected to the place they learn and play in every day.
Continuing the Conversation at Home
Families often ask how they can build on this learning outside of the centre. Simple steps make a real difference — reading children's books written by First Nations authors, listening to Indigenous music and stories together, visiting local cultural events, or simply talking openly about the Traditional Custodians of the land you live and play on. Children pick up on the values modelled at home just as much as the activities they take part in at the centre.
Building Respect That Lasts
Reconciliation isn't a single week on the calendar for us — it's an ongoing relationship we want every child to grow up understanding and valuing. If you'd like to know more about how we approach cultural learning and respect at Redfern Cottage, we'd love to talk with you. Get in touch with our team to learn more or arrange a visit.
