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Little J and Big Cuz follows the adventures of the two main characters and models the day-to-day running of an early primary classroom. The Australian Early Years Learning Framework is incorporated in each episode and there are resources for educators and tips on transition for parents and families. All episodes are translated into Indigenous languages. “The Little J and Big Cuz education resources are provided to support educators with ideas for including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, understanding and skills in their teaching and learning programs.” (Earp, 2021) Each and every episode provides an educational purpose. For example, ‘New Tricks’ which can extend on conversations around physical ideas during playtime. Such as, swinging, balancing, and skipping. This helps improve the children’s gross motor skills in order to improve and take risks. The website consists of lots of further learning opportunities for each episode which is a very helpful resource and tool to have in the classroom. The episodes consist of lots of open-ended conversations to enhance their communication skills and ignite further thinking about the themes talked about in the episodes. We learn about the country and “it’s importance for Aboriginal children’s identity and wellbeing is the central tenet of Aboriginal children’s education.” (Earp, 2021)

Little J and Big Cuz was developed with Aboriginal worldviews and knowledges and the Early Years Learning Framework (2009). “We acknowledge and recognise the diversity of the two distinct groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their worldviews and knowledges, and the importance of working with and alongside them as educators.” (Reid-Loynes, 2023) It is important to always promote, explore and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in our practice. It states in the EYLF Framework that, “Services promote children as confident and involved learners through play-based, strengths based approach and by maintaining higher expectations of children’s capabilities.” (SNAICC, 2021) The Little J and Big Cuz episodes are based around a smooth transitioning and educational resources for educators. Episode four: ‘Right under your nose’ shows the educators encouraging Little J’s independence and autonomy. This episode really resonated with the children with their own personal lives as the children go on holidays and can compare the episode with their own grandparents. The nature of the family arrangements in the episode can form further discussion for the children. They can talk about their families, discuss whether they have a big family or small family etc. Which then relates back to Learning Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity, by talking about their families. It is important to implement Indigenous and Aboriginal cultures into our kinder in a fun way, like Little J and Big Cuz. Which this relates back to AITSL Focus Area 2.4 “Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.” (AITSL, 2017)

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Emerging Minds is a website that is dedicated to advancing the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Australian infants, children, adolescents and their families. They develop mental health policies, interventions, in-person and online training, programs and resources in response to the needs of professionals, children and families. “We partner with family members, national and international organisations to implement evidence-based practice into the Australian context.” (Emerging Minds, 2023) This website provides parents, professionals and organisations with the skills to proactively promote child wellbeing and especially helping those struggling with mental health. Emerging Minds incorporates three key components; The online website which has free training, practice guides, webinars, tools, information and news. A national network of regionally-based Child Mental Health Workforce Consultants to support workplace development, systems change, information exchange and collaboration. And a communication and knowledge translation strategy to support diffusion of evidence into practices. It is so, so important to discuss mental health form a young age to prevent it from going long-term and progressing worse.

Emerging Minds has a consultancy group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing. The groups roll is to support and guide “Emerging Minds in building an evidence base to support effective with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.” (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultancy Group, n.d) Emerging Minds provides a RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) on their website which has so much information to promote inclusion and culturally secure workplaces. “Emerging Minds’ reconciliation vision is for an inclusive, equitable Australia in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and stories of strength and hope are listened-to and honoured.” (Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), n.d) Emerging Minds provides educators will many resources to gain extended knowledge. Educators can watch interviews, animations, interactive sessions, podcasts and webinars through the website.

Emerging Minds provides a ‘Child Safe Environments Policy’ as they are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children. This is provided for “All Emerging Minds’ employees, board members, volunteers, students & contractors.” (Morgan, 2021) This website aims to make our country a better and safe place and aims to respect our diversity. This relates back to learning outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world. “Children respond to diversity with respect – explore the diversity of culture, heritage, background and tradition and that diversity presents opportunities for choices and new understandings.” (DET, 2019) Referring to the AITSL standards, Emerging Minds relates to Focus Area 1.3: “Students with diverse linguistic, cultural. Religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.” (AITSL, 2017)

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Koori Curriculum is a website operated by Jessica Staines, a Wiradjuri woman, who is an Early Childhood teacher and passionate about educational communities. “Consultants at the Koori Curriculum facilitate a range of professional development programs and workshops for educators to help guide the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives in early childhood curriculums.” (Staines, n.d) Jess and her team have created so many great resources for teachers to learn about inclusion by doing podcasts, educational resources, yarning circles, exclusive publications, webinars, online seminars, conferences, in-services and planning days. The team are constantly coming up with new and innovative ideas and create new and diverse ways to reach out to educators across Australia. One thing I love about this website is that it is always getting updated, each month they bring out new content across a range of topics that will inspire educators to think creatively of the many ways we can embed Aboriginal perspectives in our program. The Koori Curriculum also provides lesson plans on common topics and interests such as transport, belonging and animals to provide ideas and insight on ways educators can again embed Aboriginal cultures into the program. Jess also personally offers advise and custom strategies to help overcome challenges that you may face. I love that this is individualised to you, and she takes her own time to do this for other people. I know as an educator myself, I need an idea to kick start myself off with a topic, it’s a great way to grab an idea or topic and then brainstorm further. You may or may not of heard of Kiya who is a doll from Play School, she can be brought on the website to explain to the children about Aboriginal culture through the doll. Korri Curriculum also has a range of Indigenous storybooks based on culture, history, traditions and more.

With all of these amazing resources, it provides so much support for educators. Having Indigenous culture activities embedded in our programs makes Indigenous Australians feel as though they belong and feeling a sense of identity. The EYLF outcomes that relates to Koori Curriculum the most is Identity – “Children feel safe, secure and supported – sense and respond to a feeling of belonging.” (Department of Education and Training, 2019) and Community: “Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active civic participation – demonstrate a sense of belonging and comfort in their environments.” (DET, 2019)

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Crackerjack Education is a website that aims to inspire students and teachers from every culture, with their stories, skills and knowledge of Ancient Australia. “Showcasing open, honest and awe-inspiring stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across this great country.” (Nola, 2023) Crackerjack Education is a digital learning tool with series of E-Books and online interactive resources. Their mission is for all teachers and students from all cultures to see their potential in becoming an inspirational educator. Crackerjack values the belief that all cultures deserve to feel respected, learned from and heard. They encourage abundance and connectedness and aims to strengthen the identity of Indigenous Australians. The team at Crackerjack Education speak from experience through their own journeys and expertise as trained Indigenous social workers, writers, educators and Australian relationship psychologists. Crackerjack Education has a variety of great resources for educators and families. One thing that stood out to me was, they have an online module (which accumulates to 5 PD hours) about ‘How Aboriginal kids learn best’. I would find this super interesting because I don’t know how Aboriginal kids learn best, I’m not Indigenous myself so I think that’s super interesting and a great resource for teachers. All their resources for children aim to support and increase literacy and learning opportunities for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia.

Crackerjack Education leads the way to creating exciting learning opportunities for teachers to meet the requirements of the AITSL standards. This relates to Focus Areas 1.4 and 2.4 “through innovative training courses and programs, storytelling, and community partnerships with individual educators and thought-leading schools/organisations who align with the values and purpose of Crackerjack Education. (Nola, 2023)

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consultancy group. (n.d.). Emerging Minds. https://emergingminds.com.au/about/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-and-emotional-wellbeing-national-consultancy-group/

AITSL. (2017). Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership. https://www.aitsl.edu.au/standards

Department of Education and Training. (2019). Belonging, being & becoming the early years learning framework for australia. ACECQA. https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-02/belonging_being_and_becoming_the_early_years_learning_framework_for_australia.pdf

Earp, J. (2021). Educators - Little J and Big Cuz. Www.littlejandbigcuz.com.au. https://www.littlejandbigcuz.com.au/educators

Emerging Minds. (2023). Who we are. Emerging Minds. https://emergingminds.com.au/about/who-we-are/

Morgan, B. (2021). Child Safe Environments Policy. https://d2p3kdr0nr4o3z.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2021/08/24105822/Child-Safe-Environments-Policy.pdf

Nola. (2023). About Us. Crackerjack Education. https://www.crackerjackeducation.com.au/about-crackerjack/

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). (n.d.). Emerging Minds. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://emergingminds.com.au/about/reconciliation-action-plan/

Reid-Loynes, P. (2023). Little J & Big Cuz Resources. Www.littlejandbigcuz.com.au. https://www.littlejandbigcuz.com.au/kinder

SNAICC. (2021). CHILDREN ARE CONFIDENT AND INVOLVED LEARNERS. https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-12/Outcome4-ChildrenAreConfidentAndInvolvedLearners-SNAICC.pdf

Staines, J. (n.d.). Aboriginal Early Childhood Consultancy | Koori Curriculum | About us. Koori Curriculum. https://kooricurriculum.com/pages/about