At Koori Curriculum, we're passionate about supporting early childhood services embedding Aboriginal perspectives within their educational programs. Recently, I had the privilege of working with Blacktown TAFE Children's Centre to develop a comprehensive sustainability program using the 8 ways of learning framework.
The 8 ways of learning is a Wiradjuri pedagogical framework that allows educators to teach through culture rather than merely about it. This approach creates meaningful connections between Aboriginal ways of knowing and contemporary educational practices. Let's explore how the team at Blacktown TAFE Children's Centre plan to implement each element of the 8ways framework to enrich their sustainability program.
Story Sharing
Story sharing involves connecting through narratives, linking children's personal experiences to the curriculum through various expressive forms such as art, music, song, dance and oral storytelling.
For the sustainability program, educators plan to explore the Dreaming story of "Tiddalick the Frog" with the children. This powerful narrative about a greedy frog who drank all the water in the land provided rich opportunities to discuss the importance of water conservation in a culturally meaningful context.
We also planned for families to send photographs showing their sustainable practices at home—from recycling bins to rainwater tanks and solar panels—to support children in recalling and retelling their experiences, creating a bridge between home and centre-based learning.
Non-Verbal Learning
Non-verbal learning emphasises kinaesthetic approaches where children see, think, act and make without relying on words. This can include cooking, gardening, construction, sensory play, gross motor activities, dance, mindful movement and music making.
The educators planned for children to get involved in hands-on experiences such as constructing bug hotels and bird boxes. Children can explore Darug seasons by observing changes in native plants and engaging in observational drawings, developing a deep connection to Country through sensory engagement.
Symbols and Images
Creating a visually rich learning environment is at the heart of the symbols and images approach. It's about embracing metaphor through "sound, touch, taste and feel" to enhance understanding.
Educators planned to explore recycling symbols and help children decipher the meaning of red, yellow and green bins, adding photographs to indicate what items belong in each. The plan is to create a visual instruction demonstrating how to care for the worm farm and compost system. A visual poster of the Darug seasons will be displayed, with children's photos and drawings added to show how these seasons emerge throughout the year.
Deconstruct-Reconstruct
The deconstruct-reconstruct approach involves working from the whole to the parts. Educators will deconstruct the broad concept of sustainability (primarily focusing on environmental sustainability) into manageable components: water conservation, land management, environmental issues like global warming and climate change, and human impacts such as deforestation.
This approach can be presented to children through interest areas that evolve with children's curiosity. Quality non-fiction books enhanced understanding, while brainstorming sessions with children revealed their existing knowledge about sustainability.
Community Links
Community links encourage exploration of local communities and children's relationships within them, partnering with stakeholders and seeking local viewpoints.
Educators brainstormed about connecting with water management services, the local council, community gardens, the cultural centre and Reverse Garbage. They planned potential excursions to explore the local community, photographing places of significance such as clothing donation bins, bottle and can recycling stations, and battery and plastic bag collection points.
Land Links
Land links focus on weather, seasons, ecosystems, habitats, flora and fauna. This connection to Country is fundamental to Aboriginal ways of knowing.
Educators discussed potentially planting Darug seasonal indicators in the outdoor learning space, establishing a water tank, creating a seed library, and setting up a worm farm and composting system. They plan is to focus on Darug seasons, unpacking how people traditionally lived in harmony with the seasons and their sustainable land management practices.
Non-Linear Learning
Non-linear learning recognises that learning doesn't happen in a straight trajectory but rather in cycles and spirals, connecting current topics to children's existing knowledge.
For this program, educators discussed examining Aboriginal symbols children were already familiar with before introducing recycling symbols. They discussed potentially referencing the colours of traffic lights and how these colours hold meaning, using this understanding as a foundation to introduce the concept of coloured bins for different types of waste.
Learning Maps
Learning maps involve visually documenting the learning journey for children to follow. Educators can create a curriculum wall with photographs to make the learning process visible and accessible to both children and families.
Through the implementation of the 8 ways of learning framework, Blacktown TAFE Children's Centre will create a culturally rich sustainability program that honours Aboriginal ways of knowing while addressing contemporary environmental concerns.
For more information on the 8ways and for support with your programming, planning and pedagogy, consider attending the Koori Curriculum Leadership Retreat where we will focus further on culture, community and Country.
