YMCA Center Philosophy

YMCA Centre Philosophy emphasizes that incorporating respectfully elements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures into their curriculum and learning environments. The center believes that children are able to learn through play. Therefore, the outdoor play area is designed to reflect culture and the environment, which also be emphasized by element 3.2.1 of National Quality Standard: Outdoor and indoor spaces are organised and adapted to support every child's participation and to engage every child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, 2018). Learning environments in YMCA Centre use natural materials, natural experiences and natural environments
The center provides a range of diverse natural resources such as wood, water, rock, trunk, branch, timber and bowie, which be implemented in the outdoor environment curriculum. In order to encourage children to develop their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres strait islander lifestyle. Moreover, creating an environment where access to specialized equipment is an effective way to enhance children’s knowing and acceptance, because children have capable to explore and manipulate those natural resources through experience indigenous cultures. Therefore, diversity teaching aboriginal cultures need to convey a “relatedness”, which is a key feature of Aboriginal world views. Children are able to learn how to engage with the environment when they choose to use these natural materials, which are able to strengthen children’s expanded imaginations, problem solving skills and creativity. It stems from the connectedness of every living thing, which is the foundation of Aboriginal tradition, culture and spirituality. Children’s connection with their world is fostered through the rich natural environment at the
The centre also posts a range of Indigenous resources such as photos, maps, posters and pictures hung on the walls in order to foster children’s identity within their community and within their history. What’s more, building partnerships with each family is also significant in forming acknowledging and valuing Aboriginal and Torres strait islander cultures, which comply the National Quality Standard 6.2: Collaborative partnerships enhance children’s inclusion, learning and wellbeing (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, 2018). The center uses IPAD to share information through taking photos to reflect on the children learning between staff and families, which is available to communicate with families and know their ideas or comments. In order to encourage family to give some suggestions or feedbacks to educators for improving and extending the ways of knowing about indigenous cultures in the future. However, the center does not strongly highlight the pedagogies to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres strait islander ways of knowing and being into practices, just embed in the