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Impact on Children and Families
For First Nations children, systemic racism and lack of cultural recognition can affect identity development, self-esteem, and engagement. Several experience overrepresentations in development vulnerability statistics (AIHW, 2023).
Children who are immigrant or refugee may face language barriers affecting communication and their participation. Their learning may interrupt or lack of prior formal education. Cultural mismatch between home and educational expectations. Trauma symptoms, including anxiety, and hypervigilance.
These factors can influence learning engagement, behaviour, and relationships. Children may struggle to feel seen or safe in early learning settings that do not reflect their culture or language. Educators must recognise and adapt to these impacts, creating inclusive, affirming environments that celebrates diversity and support healing and belonging.
Social Policy and Australian Responses
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0)- It emphasises cultural responsiveness, inclusion, and identity.
National Agreement on Closing the Gap-2020 - It focuses on equity in education foe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Multicultural Access and Equity Policy- It promotes fair access to services for culturally diverse families.
Anti-Racism Strategy (NSW Department of Education, 2022)- It aims to eliminate racism in education.
Over 3% of Australia’s population identify as First Nations (ABS, 2023). Around 30% of children in early learning speak their home language (Australian Children’s Education and Crae Quality Authority [ACECQA], 2022). Over 19,000 refugees resettled in Australia in 2023-24 (Department of Home Affairs, 2024).
Policies provide a framework for inclusion, but effective implementation depends on educator training, cultural competence, and genuine partnerships with families and communities.
Understanding the Context
Understanding the Context
Cultural and Diversity Context
Australia is a diverse nation, with nearly half of its population either born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas (ABS, 2023). Among this diversity, First Nations families, immigrant, and refugee families represent two distinct groups whose experiences with education are shaped by historical, social, and systemic factors. First Nations families incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the traditional owners of the land. Their experiences are often influenced by intergenerational trauma, cultural disconnections, systemic racism, and socio-economic disadvantage resulting from colonisation and past government policies. Immigrant and refugee families, meanwhile, may face challenges such as language barriers, cultural shock, disruptive schooling, visa problems, and experiences of trauma or displacement from their home country. These cultural contexts are highly relevant in early childhood education as they directly impact children’s sense of belonging, identity, and access to equitable learning opportunities.
Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory- This emphasises the role of culture, language, and social interaction in children’s learning. Children from diverse backgrounds bring unique cultural knowledge that should be valued and included in the learning environment.
Contemporary research (Sims & Hutchins, 2020) supports the view that culturally responsive pedagogy promotes participation, wellbeing, and achievement in children. It also fosters reconciliation and equity by recognising and valuing cultural diversity.
Australia’s cultural land is evolving. Multilingualism is increasing, refugee intake fluctuates with global conflict, and First Nations families continue to call for truth-telling and self-determination in education.
Resources for Educators and Children
Website/Programs
1. Welcome to country- Educational resources to teach about country and culture (Welcome to country, 2024).
2. Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education- Tools to support cultural safety and reconciliation (Reconciliation Australia, 2024).
3. The Refugee Experience- Resources for educators working with displaced children (Refugee Council of Australia, 2024).
4. My language- Portal for multilingual resources and literacy tools (Australian Department of Education [AGDE], 2024).
Children’s Storybook
1. I’m Australian Too by Mem Fox- This book celebrates diversity and inclusion (Fox, 2017).
2. Welcome to country by Aunty Joy Murphy- It introduces children to First Nations culture (Murphy & Kennedy, 2016).
3. My two blankets by Irena Kobald- It explores language and identity in refugee experiences (Kobald & Blackwood, 2014).
4. Tell me why by Robyn Templeton & Sarah Jackson- It explains Aboriginal family kinship in early years (Templeton & Jackson, 2018).
Videos
1. Molly of Denali- It highlights Indigenous knowledge, language, and traditions, supporting cultural pride and understanding among all children (PBS Kids, 2019).
2. Little J & Big Cuz- It is animated series following First Nations children promoting cultural identity and belonging (Australian Council for Educational Research [ACER], 2017).
3. Sesame street- Meet Zari- It teaches respect for global cultures, gender equality and friendship (Sesame Workshop, 2016).
4. Play School: All about families- It promotes inclusion, helping children develop empathy by seeing family structures (ABC, 2020).
Strategies for Practice
1. Language support and Multilingual resources- Use bilingual books, visual supports, and interpreters. Encourage children to share home language.
2. Culturally safe environments- Incorporate cultural arts, languages, and First Nations perspectives in everyday learning environments.
3. Trauma-informed practice- Understand and respond to signs of trauma with patience, empathy, and regulated environments.
4. Community cultural partnership- Invite elders, community leaders, or cultural representatives to co-develop programs and events.
5. Ongoing cultural competence training- Educators reflect critically on biases and engage in professional learning about cultural humility and anti-racist practices.
Applied effectively, these strategies enhance children’s identity, confidence, learning, and connection.
Community and Professional Partnerships
1. SNAICC- Advocacy and resources for First Nations children’s rights and education.
2. Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network- It supports refugee and migrant through policy, training, and education initiatives.
3. Refugee Council of Australia- It offers policy advocacy, research, and service provider networks.
4. STARTTS (NSW)- It provides trauma counselling and community development for refugee families.
5. Local Migrant Resources Centres or Aboriginal Medical Services- It delivers wraparound family and cultural supports.
These organisations collaborate through referrals, workshops, professional development, and community connections.
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