At Milestones Early Learning, we believe children learn best when experiences are meaningful, hands-on, and connected to the world around them.
This month, our centres have been exploring the concept of a Nawi, traditional Aboriginal canoes from the Sydney language, as part of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, supported by resources from Wandana Aboriginal Education.
Through simple, play-based experiences, children are beginning to explore ideas of journey, connection, and storytelling in ways that feel natural and engaging.
What is a Nawi?
A Nawi is a traditional canoe used by Aboriginal peoples in the Sydney region. Carefully crafted from tree bark and natural materials, these canoes were used to travel along rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.
They played an important role in everyday life, helping people fish, gather food, and connect with nearby communities. More than just a way to move across water, the Nawi reflects a deep understanding of Country and connection to place.
Learning Through Play at Milestones Blaxland
At Milestones Early Learning Blaxland, educators brought this concept to life through a simple, thoughtful play experience.
Using natural materials and small figures, children were invited to create their own canoe journeys. Some spoke about where they were travelling, others about who was in the canoe or what they might discover along the way.
There was no script, just space for children to think, imagine, and share their ideas.
This kind of open-ended experience supports key outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework, particularly in building communication skills, confidence, and a sense of identity.
Bringing Aboriginal Perspectives Into Everyday Learning
Each month, our centres are supported by Wandana Aboriginal Education, who provide carefully developed resources to help educators introduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in ways that are respectful and age-appropriate.
Rather than formal lessons, these experiences are woven into everyday play and learning, helping children engage with new ideas in a way that feels genuine and meaningful.
This approach aligns with national guidance from ACECQA, which highlights the importance of embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within early childhood education.
Across our centres, teams are also working towards, or have implemented, a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), supporting ongoing learning, reflection, and connection with community.
Why These Experiences Matter for Young Children
For children under five, learning happens through doing, imagining, and talking.
Experiences like this help children to:
- Build language and storytelling skills
- Develop confidence in expressing their ideas
- Begin to understand different ways people connect to places and communities
- Engage with learning in a hands-on, meaningful way.
These are the foundations that support school readiness and lifelong learning.
More Than Just Childcare
At Milestones Early Learning, we’re proud to offer more than care.
Through our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, children are supported to explore, question, and connect with the world around them, guided by experienced educators and enriched by partnerships with organisations like Wandana Aboriginal Education.
It’s in these everyday moments, simple, thoughtful, and child-led, that meaningful learning begins.