top of page

ABORIGINAL FAMILIES AS FIRST TEACHERS (AFAFT)

Lanita-Jap-013840.jpg

Family Playgroup
Term 2 Dates

What is Aboriginal Families as First Teachers (AFAFT)?

The Aboriginal Families as Teachers program aims to strengthen the ability of Aboriginal families to build a rich home learning environment. This supports active participation in early childhood education.​Through working directly with families and collaborating with early childhood education services, the Aboriginal Families as First Teachers program has been developed to encourage early learning and participation in a quality early childhood education program in the years before school.

Program Five Core Objectives

267-2670820_aboriginal-clipart.png

1

support Aboriginal families to provide developmentally rich home learning environments for young children birth to five years

267-2670820_aboriginal-clipart.png

2

promote literacy and numeracy rich home learning environments

267-2670820_aboriginal-clipart.png

3

support Aboriginal children and their families for successful transitions to school

build families’ confidence in their ability to support the healthy development and learning of their children

267-2670820_aboriginal-clipart.png

4

promote the importance of early childhood education within families and communities, including participation in a quality early childhood education program for 600 hours in the year before school (at a minimum).

267-2670820_aboriginal-clipart.png

5

build families’ confidence in their ability to support the healthy development and learning of their children

Lanita-Jap-013840.jpg

Creatvity

​

Allowing a child to have free-play builds a strong foundation of problem solving, critical thinking skills, sensory, independent, development of motor skills, boosting confidence and self-esteem etc. 

Paramount to the exploration of themselves. 

Lanita-Jap-013840.jpg

Brain Development

(1) Brain stem (0-2)

  • Focuses on survival 

  • Calm the brain stem (ensure perception of safety)

(2) Cerebellum (0-7)

  • Focuses on movement

​

(3) Limbic system (8-12)

  • Controls emotion 

  • Validate emotions (I understand..., I appreciate...)

​​

(4) Frontal cortex (12+)

  • Controls rational thinking 

​

​​

Play therapy is a therapeutic method aimed at helping children explore their lives and express thoughts and emotions through play. It provides a safe environment where children can naturally express themselves without the pressures of adult conversations and settings. At its core, play therapy promotes self-expression, aiding children in coping with difficult emotions and developing healthier mindsets and behaviors. It also enhances social skills, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

What we offer in our program

  • Weekly Home Visits

  • Educational based learning pack provided

  • School Readiness for children attending school the following year

  • Access to appropriate referral pathway

 

​

Eligibility

  • Child must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • Birth to 6 years of age

  • Living in the Blacktown LGA

bottom of page