Aboriginal Animal Dance

This game will encourage children to think about the animals which live in Australia. It will also provide an active link to First Nations peoples dance highlighting cultural diversity and respect. This activity will align with NQF outcome 2.2.

Plan Type

Educator Planned

Intentionality

• Promote awareness of First Nations peoples culture.
• Develop respect for diversity within society.
• Build upon knowledge of indigenous fauna.
• Promote creativity and movement.

NQF Outcomes

2.2 Children respond to diversity with respect.

Activity Description

1. Arrange the children in a circle facing inwards.
2. Ask each child to think of an Australian animal.
3. Ask each child to think about how each animal would move in the bush.
4. Select a child or ask for a volunteer to go first.
5. As the child to mimic the animal by hopping, jumping, crawling, walking etc. by moving away from the circle and get everyone to copy that child.
6. Everyone return to the circle.
7. Continue around the circle until each child has had a turn.

Resources

• Dance of the crane video. Total 1:36 sec.
• Dance of the Kangaroo and Emu. Watch until 2:14sec.
• Kangaroo dance. Total 1:43 sec.
• The Dreaming. Total 7:31 sec.

Reflection

Were the children able to think of Australian animals?

Which animals (Australian or otherwise) were nominated for this activity by the participants?

Were children aware of First Nations dance before this activity?

Were the video’s used to assist in the activity?

Was there any bias in this activity?

Notes

Aboriginal Dance is used for story telling and passing on lessons through the generations. Many dances include native animals portrayed in the dance. Aboriginal dance is associated with music and instruments such as the didgeridoo. A general term for dance is Corroboree.