S05 EP01: More Than Just Sticks and Stones: Deepening Aboriginal Perspectives in Nature Play
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
Release Date: 04/06/2025
S5 EP17: Six Seasons and Storytelling: Creating Authentic Aboriginal Curriculum in Rural Victoria
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, we sit down with Sue Currell, an early childhood teacher from rural Cobden, Victoria, who has spent over 25 years transforming how Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in early learning settings. As a proud Gunditjmara woman who discovered her Aboriginal heritage later in life, Sue brings a unique perspective to reconciliation and cultural education. Working with a vibrant group of 16 children in the Narang room (meaning 'sun' in local Dhauwurd Wurrung language), Sue demonstrates how authentic Aboriginal education goes far beyond tokenistic activities. From...
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S5 EP16: Beyond Google: One Educator's Path to Authentic Aboriginal Perspectives
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, we meet Andrea de Silva, a finalist for Ally of the Year at the Koorie Curriculum Educator Awards. Originally from India, Andrea shares her remarkable journey of cultural discovery and connection as she learned to authentically embed Aboriginal perspectives into her early childhood education practice. From initial uncertainty about protocols to becoming a confident advocate for Gana culture and language, Andrea's story demonstrates how educators from diverse backgrounds can meaningfully engage with Aboriginal cultures. Through her experiences with Uncle...
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S5 EP15: Creating Belonging: Practical Strategies for Cultural Inclusion in Early Learning
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, we sit down with Hayley Callaghan, a dedicated cultural officer and early childhood educator at Learning Pathways in Toowoomba. Hayley, a proud Kamilaroi woman from Goondiwindi Country, shares her profound journey of cultural rediscovery and how she's transformed her personal exploration into meaningful educational practices. From raising over $500 through a Where It Yellow fundraiser to implementing the Aboriginal Eight Ways of Learning pedagogy, Hayley demonstrates how one educator's passion can create ripple effects throughout an entire learning community....
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S5 E14: Reciprocity with Country: Giving Back Through Environmental Advocacy
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, hosts Jessica Staines from Koori Curriculum and Bec Buch from Bush Kindy Australia dive deep into practical examples of environmental advocacy that early childhood educators can implement with young children. From the fascinating world of flying foxes in Tamworth to innovative community partnerships, Jeff and Beck share real-world stories that demonstrate how children as young as three can become active environmental stewards in their communities. The conversation explores the critical importance of coexisting harmoniously with native wildlife, challenging...
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S5 EP13: Creating Cultural Safety: How 50 Educators United on a Reconciliation Journey
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lisa Mavin, the nominated supervisor of Tilly's Play Development Centre in Rutherford, who shares her remarkable 18-year journey in early childhood education and her transformative approach to embedding Aboriginal perspectives in mainstream services. As a non-Aboriginal educator married into an Aboriginal family, Lisa offers a unique perspective on creating culturally safe environments and building genuine relationships with First Nations communities. In this episode, Lisa reveals how she completely restructured her centre's approach to Aboriginal...
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S5 EY12: Dogs, Snakes and Safety: Honest Conversations About Bush Kindy Challenges
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this honest and practical episode of Educator Yarns, Jessica Staines and Bec Burch tackle the concerns many early childhood educators face when taking children out of the gate and onto Country. Rather than sugar-coating the challenges, they share real experiences from the field - from unexpected encounters with dogs and community members to navigating snake safety and supporting children with additional needs. Drawing from years of experience in bush kindy programs across Australia, they demonstrate how careful planning, community partnerships, and cultural awareness can transform perceived...
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S5 EP11: Country, Connection & Kindergarten: An Educator's Journey in Aboriginal Education
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this deeply insightful episode of Educator Yarns, we journey with Kat Fulford, a passionate early childhood educator from Ararat, Victoria, who shares her transformative approach to embedding Aboriginal perspectives in kindergarten education. From her unique background transitioning from agricultural industry to early childhood education, Kat brings a profound connection to Country that permeates every aspect of her teaching practice. She candidly discusses the challenges of finding Aboriginal education resources in regional Victoria, the powerful moments that shaped her commitment to this...
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S5 EP10: From Intention to Connection: A Guide to Engaging with Local Aboriginal Communities
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
Educator Yarns Season 5 Episode 10: From Intention to Connection: A Guide to Engaging with Local Aboriginal Communities In this episode of Educator Yarns, hosts Jessica Staines and Bec Burch tackle one of the most frequently asked questions in early childhood education: how to appropriately and respectfully connect with local Aboriginal communities. Prompted by a heartfelt voicemail from Kate at Little Saints at Tallebudgera, who runs a Bush Kindy program seeking guidance on community engagement, the hosts dive deep into the nuanced process of building authentic relationships with Aboriginal...
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S5 EP09: How One Kindergarten Transformed Their Approach to Aboriginal Education
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, we chat with Taylar Malouf, an inspiring early childhood educator from Hopscotch Kindergarten. Over the past two years, Taylar has embarked on a transformative journey to embed First Nations perspectives into her teaching practices, creating meaningful learning experiences for children under her care. From her initial "Caring for Country" project that began with children's concern about rubbish in their local park, to developing a Bush Tucker Garden and exploring Indigenous seasons, Taylar shares how these initiatives have become central to her pedagogy. Her...
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S5 EP08: The Heart of Reconciliation: An Educator's Journey Building a Living Reconciliation Action Plan
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, we speak with Stephanie Watson, an inspiring early childhood educator and nominee for the Koori Curriculum Early Childhood Educator of the Year awards. Based at Happy Hearts Academy Early Learning Centre in Helensburgh, Stephanie has transformed her service's approach to embedding Aboriginal perspectives through developing a meaningful Reconciliation Action Plan from scratch. With over ten years of experience in early childhood education, Stephanie shares her journey from wanting to work with the Starlight Foundation to becoming an educational leader...
info_outlineIn Season 5 of Educator Yarns, host Jess Staines, Director of Koori Curriculum, is joined by Bec Burch, founder of Bush Kindy Australia.
Together, they explore the fascinating intersection between Aboriginal perspectives, nature play, and sustainability in early childhood education. This thoughtful conversation delves into common misconceptions held by educators, highlighting that while these three areas overlap, they remain distinct educational focuses requiring intentional integration.
Bec shares her wealth of experience in establishing nature-based learning programs across Australia, whilst Jess offers invaluable insights into meaningful Aboriginal cultural integration beyond superficial activities.
This episode sets the foundation for a season dedicated to helping educators move beyond "just sticks and stones" towards deeper, more authentic engagement with both nature and Aboriginal cultural perspectives.
Key Takeaways:
· There are common misconceptions that simply being outdoors constitutes both nature play and cultural awareness practice, when each requires distinct, intentional approaches.
· Acknowledgments of Country should extend beyond mere words—educators should know specific traditional owners' names and actively demonstrate respect through ongoing actions.
· Aboriginal perspectives on land connection view humans as custodians who come from the land rather than own it, emphasising harmonious, sustainable relationships.
· Many educators lack confidence in outdoor educational practices, focusing primarily on safety considerations without developing rich learning experiences in nature.
· Bushtucker gardens in services require ongoing care, knowledge, and intentional use to avoid sending children messages of disrespect or disconnection.
· Educator professional development in both nature pedagogy and Aboriginal perspectives remains limited in many qualifications, creating knowledge gaps in practice.
· Services often prioritise purchasing resources (like Bushtucker plants) without equivalent investment in knowledge development for staff about those resources.
· Effective nature play and cultural integration require educators to take responsibility for their own knowledge-seeking beyond their formal qualifications.
· True integration of Aboriginal perspectives requires moving beyond tokenistic activities like "painting with sticks" to deeper cultural understanding and practices.
Understanding that meaningful integration requires intentional learning, community connections, and ongoing commitment will transform your practice.
Join us for future episodes as Jess and Bec unpack practical strategies for embedding authentic Aboriginal perspectives into your nature pedagogy. Subscribe now to ensure you don't miss the valuable insights and practical wisdom shared throughout this transformative season.
Access the episode resources here.