Ffamilies as First Teachers (FaFT) – Yolŋu playgroup leaders

FaFT recognises Yolŋu families as the first teachers of their child and celebrates the unique knowledge Yolŋu families have to support and nurture their child's early growth and development. They work alongside families to guide and empower them in their role as their child's first and most important teachers.

Yolŋu staff are key to the success of the FaFT program. The FaFT model encourages place-based services, responding to community needs, priorities and context. At the start of every year and in every term, staff and families are invited to help set community priorities and co-design the ways the program will deliver. This project comes directly from identified needs from staff and families for a greater emphasis on Yolŋu cultural content, learning on country and local resources.

Three Yolŋu possitions have been funded this period.

1. Engagement and Transitions Leader

Times of transitions such as entering a formal program like FaFT or preschool, are key in the learning journey of a child. This role will focus on supporting children and families through key early childhood transitions, specifically transitioning into FaFT, then transitioning from FaFT into preschool.

1. Yolŋu Language and Resource Leader 

This role will focus on creating educational resources, particularly in Yolŋu Matha and cultural resources, and leading in reading, singing, music time in language with children and families. It will also include social media (connecting with families through Facebook etc) and creating content with staff and families for our YouTube channel, Ku Tube. This means that families who are unable or unwilling to engage in face-to-face engagement can still access high quality, culturally safe content in Yolriu Matha. This position will particularly support adult literacy and numeracy and technology skills.

1. Elder in Residence

We want to acknowledge the deep knowledge and skills held by senior members of the community and propose to have an Elder in Residence position as part of the FaFT staffing. We wish to have a part-time position which enables us to access the Yolngu professors in our community to pass knowledge, skills and practices through our adult learning program which will, in turn, strengthen the babies and children.

This project is delivered by FaFT with designated funds from the Stronger Communities for Children initiative, facilitated in Galiwin’ku by Yalu Aboriginal Corporation.