Sounds, Words, Aboriginal Language and Yarning (SWAY) is an oral language and literacy program based on Aboriginal knowledge, culture and stories. It has been developed by Educators, Aboriginal Education Officers and Speech Pathologists at the Royal Far West School in Manly, NSW.
The Noah’s team supports early learning services to embed and teach Aboriginal culture in partnership with local preschools and early learning services through our SWAY Program. Our highly-skilled and passionate staff lead the teaching and we offer regular training for local early childhood educators so they can incorporate SWAY concepts into their centres.
SWAY incorporates evidence-based teaching strategies to improve the language and literacy outcomes of preschool and kindergarten children through Aboriginal stories and engaging families.
Another key focus of the program is to provide practical training and mentoring to build the capacity of teaching staff. Noah’s plays a key role in this within the Shoalhaven Region as we train and mentor other early childhood educators to adopt SWAY principles in their local centres.
Educators learn how to
- Embed local Aboriginal Language, culture and stories within their classroom program.
- Use evidence-based teaching strategies to develop oral language and early literacy skills.
There are six Units of Learning within the SWAY Program that have been planned within the context of the Early Years Learning Framework. They are:
- Me and my body
- My family, my home
- My school, my community
- My culture, my history
- My Land, my Australia
- Our journey
For more information about SWAY for early childhood educators in the Shoalhaven, please phone Noah’s on (02) 4423 5022.
