How do YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu recognise and understand their children's learning? Nhaltjan LATIN SMALL LETTER ENGuli ga YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGuy nhama ga marr-dharaLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGan djamarrkuliw marLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGgithinyawuy?

Indigenous families have culturally-specific strengths, priorities, and methods for assessing their children's development. Recognition and support of children's and families' strengths are important for identity, health and wellbeing. However, strengths can be missed in assessment processes developed in non-Indigenous contexts. YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu are First Nations Australian peoples from North-East Arnhem Land. This study was conducted to explore YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu early childhood development, assessment and support in response to concerns that YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu strengths and priorities are often not recognised. The cultural and linguistic expertise of YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu researchers was central in this qualitative study. Rich empirical data were collected through a form of video reflexive ethnography with six children and their extended families over seven years and through in-depth interviews with 38 other community members. An iterative process of data collection and analysis engaged YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu families and researchers in a collaborative, culturally responsive research process which drew on constructivist grounded theory methods. Findings illustrate how YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu children are immersed in complex layers of intertwined and continuous testing and teaching processes integrating holistic frameworks of cultural identity and connection, knowledge and practices. YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu families monitor and recognise a child's development through both direct and explicit testing and through observing children closely so that children can be supported to keep learning and growing into their knowledge, strengths and identity. YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu expressed concern that such learning is invisible when the child is viewed through non-YolLATIN SMALL LETTER ENGu lenses and assessed with processes and tools from outside the community. Indigenous peoples have a right to culturally congruent assessment of their children. Those who share the child's culture and language have the expertise to ensure that cultural strengths and priorities are recognised and understood.