JENAE TIEN'S ALLIES AND FRIENDS TOOLKIT: EMPOWERING EARLY EDUCATORS FOR INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS

BY JAHNAVI SIVARAJAH AND MARION CHEEDY

In March 2025, a groundbreaking online resource for early childhood educators will be launched: the Allies and Friends Toolkit. This collaboration between Exponential Library and ABC Kids Early Education aims to support educators working with children aged three to five years, including those in kindergarten. The toolkit will provide a range of accessible materials to foster conversations about allyship, cultural diversity, and inclusion. "The toolkit is designed to help educators integrate these important topics into their classrooms, with engaging resources for children to watch and interact with, and for educators to learn from," said the project's lead. With a focus on creating inclusive environments, the toolkit is a powerful tool for shaping future generations’ understanding of diversity.

One of the most exciting aspects of the project is its collaboration with Play School, a beloved children’s program known for its commitment to inclusive content. The Allies and Friends toolkit inspired a special Play School episode, also launching in March 2025, which explores the concept of allyship. "Play School does an incredible job of creating inclusive content, so when they heard about the toolkit, they wanted to explore it further," explained the project lead. As a diversity consultant for the show, they worked alongside the Play School team to bring the ideas from the toolkit to life, drawing inspiration from real-life stories of friendship and inclusivity.

The creation of the toolkit has been a rewarding experience, particularly in terms of collaboration and community engagement. "One of the biggest highlights was working with Laura Stone, who took our ideas seriously and supported our vision," the lead shared. "It’s amazing that a small company like Exponential Library was chosen to create such a national resource, especially when competing with big names like Bluey." Working with a diverse range of community members, the team was able to reflect the rich cultural tapestry of modern Australia in the toolkit’s content. Looking ahead, the team hopes to continue building on the toolkit by adding more resources and collaborating with other organisations to promote inclusive practices in early education. “We’re excited to keep expanding the toolkit, working with more communities, and ensuring that inclusivity is at the heart of early childhood education,” they concluded.