Bring Aboriginal pedagogy into your everyday program with this practical Journal and A3 Program Planner, designed to assist early childhood educators in embedding the 8 Ways of Learning across indoor and outdoor environments.
 
The 8 Ways Journal
The Journal is a professional tool for educators to document learning through the lens of the 8 Ways framework.
✨ Key Features
Welcome to Country page – space for your service to personalise with your local community’s acknowledgement.
Step-by-step explanations of each of the 8 Ways, written for early childhood educators.
Samples and examples throughout, showing educators what to plan, what to look for, and how to document both intentional teaching and spontaneous learning.
Reflection and Extension sections at the bottom of pages to support forward planning and critical reflection.
Can be used as a whole-of-service journal, encouraging educators across rooms and age groups to contribute.
The Journal helps teams record and reflect on how everyday practice connects with the 8 Ways of Learning, building cultural understanding while meeting documentation requirements.
 
The A3 Program Planner
This matching planner is designed to sit alongside your current program, making the 8 Ways visible in your learning environment.
 
✨ Key Features
Eight circles, one for each of the 8 Ways, where educators can record intentional teaching plans and spontaneous observations.
Prompts, examples, and samples included, supporting educators to confidently know what to document.
Reflection and Extension boxes to quickly note children’s voices, educator reflections, and future planning ideas.
Can be displayed on the program wall for collaboration, used indoors and outdoors, and adapted as a whole-of-centre program tool.
Flexible for use weekly or across multiple weeks.
 
By making the 8 Ways visible in daily practice, the planner encourages team consistency and provides clear evidence for families and assessors.
 
National Quality Standard (NQS) Alignment
This Journal and Planner support services to demonstrate practice across:
QA 1: Educational Program and Practice – embedding Aboriginal pedagogy in planning, observation, and reflection (Elements 1.1.1, 1.2.1).
QA 2: Children’s Health and Safety – strengthening trust, safety, and wellbeing through cultural connection.
QA 6: Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities – Acknowledgement of Country, shared stories, and connection with local communities.
QA 7: Governance and Leadership – documenting cultural inclusion and continuous improvement through reflective tools.
 
Together, they provide strong evidence during Assessment and Rating, showing your service’s commitment to embedding Aboriginal perspectives.
 
Artwork by Stephen Hogarth
This Journal and Planner feature artwork by Stephen Hogarth, an Aboriginal artist based in Queensland. His authentic designs bring meaning, beauty, and cultural depth to your professional tools.
 
Important Acknowledgement
The 8 Ways of Aboriginal Learning originates from Aboriginal communities in Western NSW and was developed by the Western NSW Regional Aboriginal Education Team at the Bangamalanha Centre, Dubbo. Ownership remains with Aboriginal people.
This Journal and Planner are independent tools to support educators in respectfully incorporating the 8 Ways into everyday planning and reflection. They do not reproduce or replace the framework.
Official resources: 🔗 https://www.8ways.online