Robinson River offers abundant learning opportunities for young NT preschoolers

Preschoolers in the Northern Territory visited the Robinson River recently with Families as First Teachers (FaFT) participants to collect litter, and use Garrawa language to name watercourse inhabitants.

The isolated Robinson River community — 1,114 km from Darwin — emphasises environmental and cultural sustainability, with Acting Principal of Robinson River School, Chris Errington, explaining that the walking excursion was “an opportunity to reinforce the importance of caring for Country, and identify living things using Garrawa”.

Children learnt about gathering and cooking bush tucker — such as turtles, fish and bush fruit, as well as the history of the community. They also honed their numeracy and literacy skills by sorting collections of rocks, shells and leaves.

Using Garrawa langugae, they named insects, crayfish, turtles and bush foods — an exercise that Mr Errington explained as being one which draws children into a stronger emotional bond with the environment.

Children in the community are regularly involved in planning the trips, which supports them by developing critical thinking and collaborative skills, improving their ability to communicate, and their attention to detail.

More information about Robinson River School is available here.