Family Day Care Educators
"Art, Storytelling and Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives" Cairns
Join us for a transformative and enriching 4.5-hour workshop at Rydges in Cairns that demonstrates ways educators can include Aboriginal culture in their program through the powerful elements of art and storytelling.
This event is a unique two-in-one workshop that seamlessly blends practical application with theoretical understanding. Led by the esteemed Jessica Staines, Director of the Koori Curriculum, you'll receive practical tools and insights to authentically integrate Aboriginal culture into your teaching methodologies.
Workshop Highlights:
Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives: Learn how to foreground Aboriginal perspectives in your early childhood curriculum. Gain practical strategies to reflect cultural inclusion and respect for Aboriginal knowledge while aligning with children's interests and inquiries.
Exploring Aboriginal Art: Delve into the rich tapestry of Aboriginal art, moving beyond clichés to appreciate its depth and significance. Jessica will guide you through innovative approaches to incorporate authentic and meaningful art experiences into your classroom, ensuring respect for Indigenous practices and ideas.
Storytelling Techniques: Explore the art of pedagogical storytelling, gain insights into curating a First Nations library, critically reflect on the inclusion of yarning circles and Dreaming Stories, and discover strategies for engaging children in bookish play that embraces Aboriginal narratives.
Interactive Learning: The workshop will feature hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, allowing you to connect with fellow educators and share experiences. You'll leave with a wealth of resources and strategies to enhance your curriculum and foster a culturally inclusive environment.
Date: 14th November 2025
Registration: 9:30 AM
Session one: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Lunch: 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
Session two: 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Afternoon tea Break: 2:00 PM to 2:15 PM
Session three: 2:15 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: Rydges Esplanade Resort, 209-217 Abbott Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Facilitator: Jessica Staines, Koori Curriculum Director
Ticket price: $289.00 inc GST and Booking Fee
Jessica Staines is an early childhood educator, professional speaker, author, advocate and advisor.
As the founder and director of Koori Curriculum, Jessica is committed to helping educators embed Aboriginal perspectives into early childhood education.
She has played many significant roles nationally and internationally in building cultural understanding, reconciliation and harmony, including as an Indigenous advisor to ABC’s Playschool.
Her work has been published in industry journals, and she has previously been a part of the AIATSIS Education Advisory Committee and HIPPY Reference group, contributing to the development of resources and programs that support Aboriginal children and families in the early years.
Jessica’s family are Wiradjuri and have lived off Country on Gadigal and Wangal land for four generations. Her family originally came from Cowra, Molong, Parkes and Wellington, but due to displacement, they were disconnected from their family and communities.
Today, Jessica lives on Darkinjung Country with her husband and two children on a peaceful bush block, and is proud to identify as a Wiradjuri woman, with connections to her local Darkinjung community.
Who Should Attend?
What people are saying about Koori Curriculum
So Many Valuable Ideas
“Honestly there were so many valuable ideas shared by Jessica that I'm very keen to implement in my service. I'm going to look back over my notes with my team to see how we can implement some of these ideas.”
How to Program Culturally and Appropriately for Children
“I really appreciate having been given a resource audit as this is something that is easy to implement and helpful to identify gaps within children’s spaces.
I also really liked insight into how to program culturally and appropriately for children in an individual way, as well as an achievable way. All of the suggestions are something that can be easily implemented in a big service that I’m in, with ease and no feelings of overwhelming.
Which means a great outcome for the children, families and educators in the service. Thank you!”
It was an Amazing Workshop
“It was an amazing workshop. The biggest thing that stood out to me was integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources that were authentic to the community and naturally included within experiences, rather than having implementation be a “theme” e.g. NAIDOC week etc.
I also loved the comment about anaphylaxis question on an intake form with a clear picture of next steps, whereas ticking a box off for background and culture didn’t have clear explanation as to why info was being gathered.”
Engaging Strategies & Ideas
“Definitely going to use the strategies to learn more to develop my confidence in embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachings in the learning environment and culture authentically.
I also learned how and when to ask questions and to be sure to do it respectfully and be mindful that everyone is an individual person.”
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