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QUESTION: Discuss how you work positively to deliver Inuit cultural play experiences to children. 

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QUESTION: Discuss how you work positively to deliver Inuit cultural play experiences to children. 

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Incorporating Inuit play into daycare activities helps children learn about their Inuit culture through movement, storytelling, and cooperative games. Activities such as animal movement, simple balance games, simple language games and pretend Arctic play allow children to explore new ideas while developing physical and social skills. It is important to introduce these activities respectfully and explain that they come from their Inuit culture. Including these experiences supports cultural awareness and helps children appreciate and feel proud of their Inuit traditions in a meaningful and age-appropriate way.

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When working with Inuit culture games and activities, it is important to teach children through play and everyday experiences. Inuit culture values respect for the land, so I try to include this when I am outside with preschool children.

When we go outside to play, I sometimes bring a small piece of garbage and keep it in my pocket. After a while, I call the children to come over to me. I show them the garbage and ask them a question: “Should I throw this on the ground, or should I put it in the trash?”

One of the children usually answers and tells me that I should keep it in my pocket or put it in the garbage. This gives me the opportunity to explain that we respect the land and we should not litter. After the short discussion, the children go back to playing.

This simple activity helps children learn while they play. They begin to understand that taking care of the land is important in Inuit culture. It also teaches responsibility and respect for the environment in a way that is easy for young children to understand.

Michelle

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QUESTION: Discuss how you work positively to deliver Inuit cultural play experiences to children. 

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QUESTION: Discuss how you work positively to deliver Inuit cultural play experiences to children. 

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During play experiences, my colleagues and I incorporate elements of Inuit culture to help children learn about animals and the land. We use materials such as flash cards, miniature Arctic animals, and puppets to create an interactive learning environment.

While the children explore the materials, we ask open-ended questions such as:

“Does this animal make a noise? What sound does it make?”

“Where does this animal live — on the land, in the water, or on the ice?”

“Where is the best place to find this animal?”

“Is this animal safe, or should we tell an adult if we see one?”

Children are encouraged to move the animal figures, imitate animal sounds, and use the puppets to act out small stories about life on the land. This allows them to share their ideas and experiences, especially if they have seen these animals in their own community.

This experience supports several developmental domains:

Cognitive development: Children identify animals, sort where they live, and think about safety and the environment.

Language development: They learn new vocabulary, describe animals, and participate in conversations.

Social development: Children take turns, listen to each other’s ideas, and collaborate in storytelling.

Physical development: Handling the miniature animals and puppets strengthens fine motor skills and coordination.

Through this activity, children build knowledge about Inuit culture, wildlife, and land safety while engaging in meaningful play.

-jocelyn

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I speak positively to them, play with toys, and help them build towers with blocks. Sometimes I play jigging music and dance in front of them. When they start dancing, I clap and encourage them to keep moving their feet. During warm days, we go for walks, and I point to objects and say their names. In the summer, I point out things like rocks, flowers, water, the sun, and clouds. In the winter, I let them look out the window and observe what’s outside

Colleen

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Discuss how you work positively to deliver Inuit cultural play experiences to children

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Discuss how you work positively to deliver Inuit cultural play experiences to children

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In our centre, I like to gather the kids in a circle on the carpet, looking at flash cards with pictures of animals and have them say the animal in innuinaqtun. Also making the sound of the animal. Another positive way is reading or singing in innuinaqtun, singing innuinaqtun songs. I like to get educators get started on “word of the day” in innuinaqtun, have the kids learn one word in innuinaqtun for the day.

Have an elder visit the centre and show them a drum and stick, learning how to drum dance. And how important it is to keep our tradition alive.

Megan

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Incorporating Inuit play into daycare activities it allows children to learn about their culture either through storytelling, and cooperative games and speaking the Inuit language throughout the day and pretend play like have them act out how arctic animals move. I think its very important to introduce the Inuit culture and share Inuit traditions in a meaningful way and also age appropriate.

Ada

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Discuss how you work positively to deliver Inuit cultural play experiences to children. 

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Discuss how you work positively to deliver Inuit cultural play experiences to children. 

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I prioritize learning from Inuit knowledge holders—Elders, families, and community members. Their guidance ensures that play experiences reflect real traditions, values, and stories. This might include traditional games, storytelling, seasonal activities, and land-based learning. Building these relationships also shows children that their culture is valued and respected.

land-based and experiential play— Activities connected to the environment—like observing weather, exploring nature, or practicing skills such as building or crafting—help children develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity.

I try to incorporate Inuktitut words and phrases into play where appropriate, supporting language preservation and helping children feel connected to their heritage. Even small, consistent use of language can make a big difference in belonging and pride.

Materials— Books, toys, and visuals that represent Inuit families, clothing, animals, and daily life. This helps children see themselves in their learning space.

child-led play and storytelling— encouraging children to share their own experiences, family traditions, and knowledge.

Shalyne

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In our centre i used flash cards with Animals, Colours, Numbers, in English and in inuinnaktun, one of the educator do inuinnaktun songs with them, sometimes i play the jigging music and try get them to jig with me, when we go for walks i show them what’s around and say the name and if i know it in inuinnaktun i let them know.

Camillia