How to Celebrate NAIDOC Week Through Sensory Play (at Home or in the Classroom)
NAIDOC Week is a chance to reflect, learn, and connect — not just through books or posters, but through meaningful, hands-on experiences. For young children, sensory play is one of the most powerful tools for learning, and when paired with culturally respectful resources, it can help foster deep connections with Country, nature, and each other.
1. Why Sensory Play Matters for NAIDOC Week
Sensory play supports children to:
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Build respectful relationships with the natural world
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Engage in storytelling and self-expression
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Learn through experience — not just instruction
EYLF Alignment:
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Outcome 2.1.2: Children respond to diversity with respect
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Outcome 4.2: Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity and creativity
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Outcome 5.3: Children express ideas and make meaning through play
2. What Makes the Native Collection Different?
This collection isn’t themed for the sake of it. It was:
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Thoughtfully curated by an early childhood educator (me!)
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Designed with natural colours, textures, and Australian-inspired elements
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Built to avoid tokenism — and instead create genuine connection to place and learning
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Aligned with NQS 1.1.2 (Child-Centred Learning) and 5.2.1 (Collaborative Learning)
3. Easy Ideas to Try at Home or in Your Learning Environment
🔸 Gumleaf Tray Sorting: Add bark chips, pebbles, seeds or leaves and let children sort by shape, texture or pattern.
🔸 Animal Tracks & Storytelling: Use the Tracks of Country Roller to spark a story — “Who made these tracks?” “Where were they going?”
🔸 Playdough Mapping: Use the Australian Country Cutout to create playdough maps and talk about different landscapes across Australia.
🔸 Loose Part Invitations: Combine the sensory bases with natural items for open-ended exploration — mix, scoop, pour and create!
4. A Note on Respectful Practice
I encourage you to approach this kind of play with a spirit of learning and respect — for the land we play on, and for the cultures and stories that belong to it. Use this time to slow down, listen, and explore alongside your children.
Explore the full Native Collection here
https://happyhandsmessyplayco.com/collections/%F0%9F%8C%BF-native-collection-little-explorers-of-country