Why Educators Use This Program
Many educators want to introduce First Nations perspectives through environmental learning. However, doing this respectfully requires cultural understanding and structured teaching support.
Living with Country helps educators:
— introduce traditional Aboriginal knowledge about land and survival
— explore how tools and technologies supported life on Country
— teach students about animals, food and natural resources
— introduce cultural respect for land, animals and ecosystems
— guide discussions about responsibility and caring for Country
Consequently, educators can build meaningful environmental learning that reflects Aboriginal cultural knowledge and traditions.
Structured Lessons Across the Term
The program provides a sequence of educator-guided lessons delivered across the school term.
Lessons explore themes such as:
— Aboriginal artefacts and traditional technologies
— tools used for hunting and gathering food
— tracking animals and reading nature’s clues
— how spears and natural materials were used in hunting
— understanding stone tools and cultural heritage
— animals from the land and sea
— cultural responsibility for protecting nature
Each lesson builds on previous learning, helping students understand how Aboriginal knowledge supported life on Country.
Designed to Support Educators
Living with Country provides educators with structured teaching materials and cultural guidance.
Educators receive:
— a complete term program with sequenced lessons
— educator background reading explaining cultural context
— structured lesson plans and classroom activities
— storytelling and cultural learning resources
— quizzes and learning checkpoints
— downloadable teaching materials
These resources help educators confidently deliver First Nations learning in early childhood classrooms.
Optional Yarn and Learn Cultural Support
Schools may also choose the Yarn and Learn program option, which provides additional cultural support for educators delivering the program.
This option helps educators deepen their cultural understanding while strengthening confidence when teaching First Nations perspectives in the classroom.
Further details are provided within the course for participating educators.
Living with Country (YUWI)
A Full-Term First Nations Learning Program for Kindy Classrooms
Living with Country (YUWI) is a comprehensive Kindy term program that introduces young learners to how Aboriginal peoples lived with and cared for the land for thousands of years. The program explores traditional knowledge about food, tools, animals and environmental understanding while helping children develop respect for Country.
Rather than presenting isolated activities, this program delivers a structured term of learning aligned with early childhood curriculum outcomes. Through storytelling, cultural discussion, creative exploration and guided lessons, students begin to understand how Aboriginal communities used knowledge of land, animals and seasons to survive and thrive.
As a result, children develop curiosity about nature while building respect for the cultural knowledge that guided Aboriginal life on Country.
What Students Will Explore
Throughout the term, students explore how Aboriginal communities lived in balance with nature.
Topics explored in the program include:
— traditional Aboriginal tools and artefacts
— hunting knowledge and survival skills
— the cultural importance of animals and totems
— Aboriginal tracking and environmental observation
— sustainable use of natural resources
— how Aboriginal peoples gathered food from land and sea
— cultural knowledge passed through stories and community
These topics help students understand that Aboriginal knowledge systems are deeply connected to the environment.
Learning Through Nature, Story and Culture
Students explore Aboriginal knowledge through storytelling, cultural discussion and creative activities. Lessons introduce animals, plants and landscapes that play an important role in cultural knowledge and survival.
Through these experiences, students begin to understand that Aboriginal peoples observed nature closely and developed sophisticated knowledge about ecosystems and environmental care.
Curriculum Alignment
The program supports early childhood learning frameworks and helps develop:
— environmental awareness and responsibility
— cultural understanding and respect
— curiosity about nature and ecosystems
— communication and storytelling skills
Therefore, educators can embed First Nations perspectives while supporting key curriculum outcomes.
Program Options
Living with Country (YUWI) — Kindy Term Program
Complete term program with educator resources and structured lesson plans.
Course Price:
$1500 + GST
Living with Country (YUWI) — Including Yarn and Learn
Full term program plus optional Yarn and Learn cultural support for educators.
Course Price:
$2130 + GST
Begin Teaching First Nations Learning with Confidence
Help Kindy students explore Aboriginal knowledge of land, animals and survival while building respect for Country.
