Mother language day: Bringing First Nations languages to life in ECEC settings

International Mother Language Day highlights the importance of linguistic diversity. This year, the 25th anniversary provides a special opportunity to focus on preserving and celebrating First Nations languages, especially in early learning settings.

Early education Indigenous resource specialist and proud Dunghutti woman Deborah Hoger explores the topic.

Did you know that the 21st of February each year marks International Mother Language Day? This year is special in that it is the Silver Jubilee Celebration of this significant date, honouring 25 years of this worldwide celebration.

International Mother Language Day was first proclaimed by UNESCO in 2000 and later adopted by the UN General Assembly in an effort to preserve linguistic diversity and promote mother tongues.

Multilingual education not only promotes inclusive societies but also aids in preserving non-dominant, minority, and indigenous languages. It is a cornerstone for achieving equitable access to education and lifelong learning opportunities for all individuals.

- (UN, 2025)

Alarmingly, statistics tell us that worldwide, a language is lost every two weeks, taking with it all the cultural and intellectual heritage, connections and history. In Australia, we know there are more than 200 different First Nations languages, made up of over 800 different dialects; our country is made up of a rich tapestry of both languages and cultures. To First Nations people, language and culture are intrinsically linked; language connects people to Country, identity, culture, kinship and community.

Language is part of our songlines, stories, spirituality, law, culture, identity and connection. Language transfers important knowledge passed down from our Ancestors and Elders that guides us.

– Lynnice Church, proud Ngunnawal woman

Bring language to life: Ideas for ECEC settings

With International Mother Language Day coming up, you might be wondering how you can incorporate First Nations language into your early childhood space and celebrate Mother Languages? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Check out the resources available on the Aboriginal-led, NSW Government Agency, the ‘Aboriginal Languages Trust’ website, where you can access resources relating to language, the benefits of using Aboriginal languages, issues around Aboriginal Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights, and much more. Make the effort to educate yourself in this space. This website also hosts great information on some Aboriginal language revitalisation case studies.

Get involved in NSW Aboriginal Languages Week, held later in the year in October. This week was first held in 2023 and is a great opportunity to engage in and celebrate language revitalisation work that is happening in your communities.

Introduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in your service. Research the local language of the Country you are located on and connect with your local community to explore ways you can share this language in your classroom. This could be in the form of the inclusion of bilingual picture books, educational language flash cards, or perhaps even something as simple as celebrating your local language by sharing words though your service’s social media platforms, or parent newsletters. When we start to sprinkle language in where we can, even in small ways, we help bring attention to and show our respect for local language and culture.

Find out if there is a local Aboriginal language centre in your area—connect with it if there is! Reach out and ask how you can work with the centre to share language in your service.

Check out Early Childhood Australia’s resource on saying ‘hello’ in Indigenous languages. This resource was designed to inspire educators to learn how to say hello in their own local language and features a video which depicts individuals from across the country, sharing how to greet others in 7 different Indigenous languages. Perhaps you could start to use your local Aboriginal language to greet your children in the morning!

Have a look at Gambay – First Languages Australia, a comprehensive online resource which includes an interactive online map of Australia’s First languages and Place Names. Check out if your Country is included on this map! This is a great resource to use in conjunction with the well-known AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia, which although very useful and a great visual, is sometimes not entirely accurate.

Engage with authenticity and respect

While language is a beautiful way to engage Indigenous perspectives in your classroom, and help create a culturally responsive environment, it’s always important to go about things in the right way; to be culturally respectful in how we engage.

The deadly team at Wingaru have written a great blog on how you can incorporate Indigenous languages into your classroom respectfully; making note of a few things you should bear in mind when engaging in this space. In summary, they remind us that we need to always:

1. Make sure we are using the correct language – prioritise the local language where you are located; it’s great to learn other languages but check with your local community before you use another mob’s language in your service in any manner.

2. Choose language programs and resources that have been created by the Traditional Custodians of the language – you then know that the information you are using is not only accurate but culturally respectful.

3. Be mindful when creating and sharing resources – you need permission from your local mob to create and share language resources. Create resources for your own use but always do it in partnership with your local community.

4. Appreciate the complexities associated with the history and revitalisation of First Nation languages – colonisation has meant that many languages have been lost or fragmented. Always remember languages are a living entity; they change and evolve with community just like any other aspect of culture.

5. Don’t limit your language inclusions to words alone – broaden your exploration of language to explore the history behind language, teach kids about the important role language has in culture and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Sharing in First Nations languages is a great opportunity for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids to learn about and celebrate the world’s oldest surviving cultures. Why not make 2025, the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, the year you really celebrate your local language and work hard to incorporate it into your early learning service.

Source: Wingaru Facebook