Australia is a multicultural country and linguistically diverse and almost half of the populace was born overseas or at least one of the parents was born outside the country (ABS, 2021). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples bring rich languages, knowledges and histories relating to Country. Children can have multilingual, refugee, or migrant background and have to experience racism or exclusion that affects their sense of safety and access to services (Hodge & McMahon, 2022).
Educators can learn about such challenges with the help of sociological theories. The critical race theory suggests the impact of systemic racism on opportunities of minoritised children (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017), and the cultural capital theory developed by Bourdieu outlines how the dominant norms may oppress the people of a different cultural background (Bourdieu, 1986).
safe environments and the identification of the children and their identities are the needs of EYLF V2.0 (ACECQA, 2023; ECA, 2020).
Children with culturally and linguistically different (CALD) backgrounds are likely to have issues with communication and relations with educators and peers because of the language barrier, the lack of understanding of social norms, and isolation (Guo & Dalli, 2016).
Systemic inequities and historical trauma leave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with a lot of disadvantages (Lowitja Institute, 2021). It results in mistrust of institutions and the decline in the number of children who get early education (Hodge & McMahon, 2022).
Due to the displacement and resettlement problems, the displaced families are traumatized. The children require an assistance in English, wellbeing and cultural adaptation. In order to be inclusive, educators are required to utilize trauma-informed practices and strengths-based practices (Ikon Institute of Australia, 2025).
The Australian policies give more emphasis on the features of inclusion and cultural responsiveness in early childhood education:
The (EYLF V2.0) helps in merging the integration and cultural competence of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives (ACECQA, 2023).
National Agreement on Closing the Gap (2020) has ambitious goals to transform health, education, and wellbeing outcomes of the First Nations children with more children accessing early learning (Commonwealth of Australia, 2020).
Multicultural Access and Equity Policy offers accessibility to free and non-discriminatory services that the government offers and are culturally responsive (Department of Home Affairs, 2022).
There are issues of the lack of representation of diverse educators and interpreters and the implicit bias, which are faced by various services. New professional learning, critical thinking, and community relationships are to be formed in the long term to introduce truly inclusive practices (Hodge & McMahon, 2022).
Some of the practices that the teachers can implement to ensure that inclusion and cultural responsiveness becomes a reality are as follows:
Build culturally responsive relationships: Get to know cultural beliefs, views and child raising beliefs of the families. We can create family areas where the parents and other family members can share their experiences and contribute to the learning of their children in the most meaningful way.
Be open to other languages and other ways of thinking: Welcome the languages that the children bring home in greetings, singing, signage and displays. Choose other material and books that are in terms of culture and identity.
Incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives: This could be done by talking to the local Elders and First Nations teachers. It is important to know and be able to use original material and to act in conformity with cultural procedures when a story is being told or an artefact is being shared (Narragunnawali, 2024).
Check the presumptions, the stereotypes: check the individual and the institutional presumptions. Encourage anti-bias education, which ensures the affirmation of each child and his/her human rights.
Professional development: Attend the training which may include the cultural competence, trauma-informed practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education (Ikon Institute of Australia, 2025).
Community and Professional Partnerships
Collaborations with other organisations that are specialised raise awareness of culture and can amount to a great source of help:
SNAICC - National Voice of Our Children: Voice and advocate on behalf of First Nations children and the provision of training, policy advice and resources.
Multicultural Resource Centres There exists ethnographic information and there is also an interpreting and multilingual library and information service.
Refugee council of Australia: Advocacy service, advice and training to refugee families and refugee advocacy.
Reconciliation Australia: It gives schools and services a chance to work on Reconciliation Action Plans with the Narragunnawali.
Local Migrant Resource Centres: Helping them to make settlement, cultural orientation and family support.
By doing so, such collaborations would make the representation of culture more holistic, educators less fearful, and families able to get wraparound services (Hodge & McMahon, 2022).
Projects, Programs and Websites that will be of use to the Educator.
Child Australia – Inclusion Support Program Offers services to facilitate the culture of inclusiveness of different learners. According to (Child Australia, 2024), one should identify the child as a person who feels and expresses emotions. Inclusion Support Program - Department of Education, Australian Government
You Be You (Previously KidsMatter) The Australian concept of wellbeing and mental health early learning. We are not at all like anybody (And we are not at all like anybody, 2023) Home - Be You
AllPlay Inclusion Early Learning (AllPlay) The resources that aid a child with special needs and different culture. In line with the above, the Holistic Learning Model (AllPlay Learn, 2023) also represents the view of an individual in the context of the universal law. Early Childhood Education and Care Settings: Educators | AllPlay Learn.
Cultural Competence NQF ACECQA Incorporation of brochure activity of cultural competence. (ACECQA, 2023) Search results | ACECQA
The Family Book by Todd Parr Embraces different types of families and celebrates it. (Parr, 2010) Bing Videos
Book by Karen Katz titled The Colours of Us. Creates race awareness to the story of different skin colors. (Katz, 2002) The Colors Of Us READ ALOUD!
Our Class is a Family Honey Olsen Helps in building a caring and diverse society at classroom level. (Olsen, 2020) Book Review: Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen, illustrated by Sandie Sonke – The Bookshelf Corner
All the Ways to be Smart Davina Bell Makes himself liked by diversity and freedom of mind and talents.(Bell, 2018) Bing Videos
Bluey – “Flat Pack” and “Bike” : Family life showcased in these episodes and teaching social skills such as teamwork and empathy. https://iview.abc.net.au/video/CH1903Q021S00
https://iview.abc.net.au/video/CH1702Q012S00
Little J and Big Cuz Where is Aaron? The episode presents stories of the First Nations to encourage communal identity and community affiliation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVRpskZxuaY&t=70s
Circle Round Podcast The Lion s Whisker: This is a folktale that teaches kids about empathy, trust and helping others. https://www.wbur.org/circleround/2017/11/07/the-lions-whisker-circle-round
Play School - Celebrations and Connections: The episodes show the Australian cultural diversity, inclusion and respect of others to children. https://iview.abc.net.au/video/CH1812H020S00
The tools enable educators to construct welcoming and culturally responsive settings with which to facilitate knowledge, empathy and resiliency among children through diversity embracement, mental health promotion, and social skills training. Books, programs, and media, like Bluey and Little J & Big Cuz also teach children to appreciate differences, form caring relationships and be emotionally resilient.