A tarp, a troopie & a teddy bear

: fostering early literacy practices in targeted remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia

Abstract

In 1998/99 the Northern Territory Department of Education ran a project in its southern region called “Targeting Early Literacy – Family and School”. The aim of the project was to foster early literacy practices and to research these practices within the school-based programs and within families. Melodie Bat was the sole project officer for that project which she implemented in three Aboriginal communities near Alice Springs. This thesis is the evaluation, analysis and reporting of the research conducted during that project. The project was implemented in response to the expressed needs of communities for preschool programs and as an investigation into ways to combat low literacy levels in schools. Communities wanted preschool programs; schools wanted help with their ‘Little Kids’ programs; and the system was looking for solutions. This research was aimed at meeting these needs by taking an action research approach and by documenting the processes and products of the project. It is written according to a practical framework and reflecting the initial parameters of the project. It is a work looking for directions and good ideas which promise to generalise to other remote communities in other parts of northern Australia. This work is topical. There is currently a new early childhood framework being developed for the Northern Territory; the Federal Education Union is conducting a preschool inquiry and a mobile preschool program is just being established in a remote community in central Australia. This thesis is a journey along a dusty road with a troop carrier full of books and toys and a teddy bear in the driver’s seat. Enjoy the ride. Melodie Bat

Date of Award	2004
Original language	English