This is a shared story of culture, connection and collaboration between Early Childhood Educators and the local Aboriginal women in their communities. Women who are deeply passionate about culture and the importance of staying connected in meaningful authentic ways. It shares their ideas of how easily culture and culturally specific activities can be embedded in programs and connected to the Early Years Learning Framework and My Time Our Place.

We hope this book inspires you to reach out to the First Nations people of the lands you live, work and play on. Establish mutually meaningful relationships. As you read this book, may you open your senses, your heart and your spirit to the wonders of this beautiful country and the secrets that it shares with us through the long cultural knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have worked to keep alive. We wish you luck on your journey of connection, collaboration and re-education.

The pages in this resource are identified by colour.

• ​White pages contain general information for Educators to consider.

• Yellow pages contain relevant cultural information for Educators to take into consideration.

• Green Pages contain information about activities you could try out with children.

• Contained within each page are colour coded boxes with reflective questions, links to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time Our Place (MTOP), stories of impact, cultural information and messages about sustainability and safety.

Experiences researched and implemented: Chris Tayler, Laurie Bayamawarrnga Garruwarra, Helen Kamajirr and Rosanne Riala
Cultural advisors: Laurie Bayamawarrnga Garruwarra, Helen Kamajirr and Rosanne Riala Photography: Chris Tayler
Editorial, creative writing and design advice: Ranu James