(EYLF) Children develop knowledgeable confident self-identities, and a positive sense of self-worth

Children develop knowledgeable confident self-identities, and a positive sense of self-worth.

This is evident when children, for example:

• express and share pleasure and pride in their own efforts, achievements and accomplishments through language, gestures, facial expressions and/or movements 
• feel recognised and respected for who they are 
• explore different identities, roles and points of view in pretend play 
• develop strong foundations in both the culture and language/s of their family and of the broader community without compromising their cultural identities 
• reach out and communicate with trusted educators and familiar children for comfort, assistance and companionship 
• celebrate and share their contributions and achievements with others 
• show curiosity and growing confidence in their identity as a learner 
• share information about their family, culture, home languages and aspects that make them unique 
• engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and community members to explore their own and others social and cultural heritage 
• take calculated risks in play and learning and begin to cope with the unexpected
• display a positive image of themselves, families, culture and community 
• acknowledge, share and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions, customs and celebrations 
• share their stories about their Country and community 
• feel comfortable to use their home language to construct meaning 
• feel accepted and affirm their group membership 
• share with others how they have learned to use digital technologies 
• feel safe to participate in all activities regardless of gender, age, culture or ability 
• share spaces and resources safely and equitably regardless of gender, age, culture or ability.

Educators promote this learning for all children when they, for example:

• acknowledge and join in with children’s expressions of pleasure and pride in their efforts and accomplishments 
• promote in all children a strong sense of who they are and their connectedness to others – and a shared identity as Australians 
• ensure all children experience pride and confidence in their achievements 
• describe and share children’s successes with families 
• show respect for, and celebrate, diversity, acknowledging the varying approaches of children, families, communities and cultures 
• acknowledge and understand that children construct meaning in many different ways 
• demonstrate deep understanding of each child, their family and community contexts in planning for children’s learning, development and wellbeing 
• provide children with diverse examples of the many ways identities and culture are recognised and expressed 
• build upon culturally and linguistically valued approaches to learning 
• build on the funds of knowledge, languages and understandings that children bring 
• talk with children in respectful ways about similarities and differences in people 
• provide rich and diverse resources that reflect children’s social and cultural worlds 
• listen to and learn about children’s understandings of themselves 
• actively support the maintenance of home language and culture 
• develop children’s authentic understanding of themselves 
• provide books and other resources that depict diverse gender roles and identities respectfully 
• support sharing of spaces and resources safely and equitably 
• acknowledge each child’s family, culture and individual uniqueness in positive ways support all children to access science and technology experiences safely regardless of gender, age, culture or ability 
• recognise disability as a form of diversity and demonstrate inclusive approaches in their interactions with children 
• implement approaches to support gifted and talented children 
• provide inclusive indoor and outdoor environments that incorporate reasonable adjustments where there are barriers to participation 
• have opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relationships and connections to Country and family including kinships systems 
• support children to identify and assess risks in play and learning and to cope with the unexpected.