National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is held annually on 4 August to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. This day encourages services and organisations to be inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in early years services and schools.

Watch and Share this Video by Emerging Minds: The whole Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child on Vimeo

The theme this year is Strong in Culture, Stronger Together, acknowledging the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children that comes from their connection to culture and their mob. Pride in culture, stories, kin and community make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children special, resilient and the bright leaders of the future.

This Children’s Day we encourage all playgroups and families to show their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and learn about the impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every child.

SNAICC has put together a great list of ideas for celebrating Children’s Day including:

• organise an open day or morning tea at work for people to bring their children
• hold a family fun day for foster and kinship carers and their children in out-of-home care
• organise a children’s picnic or activities in a local park
• bring Elders, families and their children together in your service or school for storytelling and cultural activities
• cultural dancing and performances
• games and activities and arts and crafts sessions
• have a flag-raising ceremony with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags
• hold a fete or fundraising activity for children in your community
• organise sporting events or competitions for children and young people
• invite local leaders, politicians and Elders to spend some time at your service or school on Children’s Day.
  

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SNAICC has also provided some great activity resources, perfect for your little ones to enjoy at home or at playgroup, providing an opportunity to talk about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day Activity Sheets
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day Activity Kits
• Child Rights Activity Book

Click here to find a Children’s Day event happening near you!

Playgroup WA Aboriginal Playgroup Programs

At Playgroup WA, we’re proud to promote and support inclusive playgroups through our Aboriginal playgroup programs, funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy. Our mission is to support Aboriginal families by providing playgroups that help children thrive from an early age, focusing on early childhood development, care, education, and school readiness.

These playgroups, part of the Department’s Children and Schooling Programme, aim to:

• Increase participation in early childhood development activities
• Enhance school readiness and better engage families with school
• Increase family’s confidence in supporting children’s development
• Employment and training opportunities for local people

Our playgroups are currently active in the Wheatbelt, Albany, Goldfields, and the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Whenever possible, we employ Aboriginal staff from the local community, ensuring our programs are connected and culturally relevant. We also work closely with families to connect them with other essential services and programs, including early intervention services and activities.

Join us at Playgroup WA in celebrating and supporting Aboriginal children on their journey to a bright future.

Celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day at Playgroup

Rock art, bark painting and body art have historically held cultural significance for Aboriginal people and have been used as a form of expression, communication and spirituality for more than 60,000 years.

Celebrate Children’s Day at playgroup or at home with dot painting! This is an easy craft for your little ones to do with their fingers or a cotton bud and provides an opportunity to discuss the cultural significance of Aboriginal dot paintings. Learn more about the origins and meanings of Aboriginal dot paintings here.

Print out templates of native Australian animals or plants:Photo credit

• Outline templates of Australian animals and their Noongar names
• Educational Noongar language posters
• Noongar language word list

Or, get extra creative and paint on rocks or leaves:Photo credit                                          Photo credit