Session 3

Session 3: Understanding Aboriginal Children and Their Families

Inquiry 4: Promoting a Child’s Identity

Child care providers can promote a child’s identity by doing the following:

• learning as much as you can about the specific culture of the child
  
  There are approximately 50 different Aboriginal cultural groups in Canada and there is diversity within each community.
  
  
• balancing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of the child
  
  
• supporting the child to learn and maintain her or his traditional language
  
  
• providing regular opportunities for the child to participate in traditional activities
  
  
• encouraging meaningful interactions with Elders from the child’s community
  
  Children can learn respect and wisdom from Elders.
  
  
• supporting the child’s learning of traditional stories and legends
  
  
• providing books, videos, traditional games, dance, music, and so on that reinforce traditional, family, and daily life
  
  
• speaking frankly about discrimination
  
  
• networking with Aboriginal parents, colleagues, and Elders

For more information, visit the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada website. Go under the Education Link in the Navigation bar to Publications. To find a fun information sheet, in the Publications search bar, type “First Nations People.”