When educators first encounter the 8 Ways of Learning, many assume it’s something extra to add into their program, another framework, another layer, another expectation.
What actually happens when the 8 Ways are understood and applied well is something quite different.
Educators stop teaching about culture and begin teaching through culture.
And that shift changes everything.
What Changes When Educators Use the 8 Ways?
The biggest transformation I see is not in what is taught, but how learning unfolds.
The 8 Ways of Learning invite educators to:
- Slow down
- Follow children’s thinking
- Work collaboratively
- Privilege relationships, story, place, and process
This naturally leads to a slow pedagogy approach—one that values depth over busyness and meaning over output.
Before and After: What Practice Looks Like
Before the 8 Ways
- Programs are often content-heavy, with many planned experiences each week
- Educators feel pressure to “cover” lots of topics
- Cultural perspectives may appear as standalone activities
- Learning is educator-directed, with outcomes pre-determined
- Planning is often done individually
Culture can unintentionally become something that is added on.
After the 8 Ways
- Learning unfolds through topics of enquiry that evolve over time
- Educators prioritise quality over quantity
- Cultural perspectives are embedded in the way learning happens, not just what is displayed
- Educators observe closely, listen deeply, and respond intentionally
- Planning becomes collaborative, with teams reflecting and yarning together
Culture becomes the lens, not the label.
Practical Examples of the Shift
Topic of Enquiry: Water
Before:
- A planned “water week”
- A science experiment, a craft, a book, and a poster
- Learning wraps up on Friday and moves on
After (Using the 8 Ways):
- Children notice puddles after rain
- Educators invite story, yarning, and shared thinking
- Learning connects to local waterways, seasonal change, and caring for Country
- Experiences evolve over weeks: mapping water flow, storytelling, movement, art, and reflection
- Educators intentionally draw on multiple 8 Ways—story sharing, learning maps, non-verbal learning, and community connections
The learning deepens because it is lived, not rushed.
Slow Pedagogy: Why It Matters
The 8 Ways support a pace that allows:
- Time for meaning-making
- Space for children’s ideas to shape direction
- Trust in the learning process
Slow pedagogy doesn’t mean less learning, it means richer learning. Educators stop asking, “What’s next?” and start asking, “What are the children showing us?”
Collaboration Is Central
Another key shift is how educators work with each other.
The 8 Ways are inherently collaborative:
- Educators plan together
- Reflect together
- Share observations and insights
- Build shared language and understanding
This collective approach strengthens practice and reduces the pressure on individual educators to “get it right” alone.
Teaching Through Culture
When educators truly embed the 8 Ways, culture is no longer a theme, a week, or a display.
It becomes:
- The way stories are shared
- The way learning is mapped and revisited
- The way relationships are prioritised
- The way time is honoured
- The way knowledge is respected
This is the power of the 8 Ways of Learning in practice.
Not more to do, but a different way of being, knowing, and teaching.
Want to Learn More About The 8 Ways of Learning?
Transform Your Teaching Practice through embracing Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.
Filmed in situ at Concord West Rhodes Pre-school this comprehensive course equips you with the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to embed Aboriginal perspectives meaningfully into your program, pedagogy and practice.
Led by Jessica Staines, Director of Koori Curriculum, this course addresses the real concerns educators face daily. Whether you're worried about causing offence, unsure where to begin, or seeking to deepen your existing practice, this course provides the framework and confidence you need.
This course recognises that meaningful change happens when whole teams engage together. Access strategies for bringing colleagues along the journey, facilitating productive discussions, and creating consistent approaches across your service.
