First Nations Book of the Month - Early Childhood
A year-long digital resource helping Early Childhood Educators embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives through carefully selected First Nations children’s books.
Books are one of the most powerful ways educators and children can learn from First Nations peoples. They can open up meaningful conversations, nurture belonging and help children connect with the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, stories and knowledge.
But knowing what books exist, which ones to use with young children, and how to use them in respectful, age-appropriate ways can be difficult and time-consuming.
First Nations Book of the Month – Early Childhood has been created to make that easier. This year-long digital resource gives early childhood educators one carefully selected First Nations children’s book to share each month, along with supporting information to help use each book in a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way.
Jordyn Green from The Yulang Effect has carefully curated each book selection, personally read every book included, and provided practical support so educators can explore First Nations literature with greater confidence and less hesitation.
This Early Childhood edition supports children to learn about:
- identity and belonging,
- family, community and relationships,
- Country and caring for the natural world,
- animals, waterways and seasons,
- counting, language and early literacy,
- sharing, kindness and friendship,
- dance, movement and storytelling,
- and the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.
Each book has been selected with careful consideration of young children’s learning, development, interests and readiness. The learning is gentle, playful and purposeful, with opportunities for educators to build understanding through stories, conversations, songs, movement, play and everyday connections.
This edition is designed for early childhood contexts, including childcare centres, kindergartens, preschools and early learning programs. Books have also been considered alongside the Early Years Learning Framework, with connections to identity, community, wellbeing, communication, learning through play and children’s connection to the world around them.
