Harmony Day Activities for Early Childhood Care

Harmony day is a celebration of cultural diversity and is held on the 21st of March every year. The message for harmony day is ‘everybody belongs’ and aims to promote respect for cultural and religious diversity throughout Australia.

Orange is the representative colour of harmony day and signifies support for cultural diversity on the day.

We have sourced 5 different activities you can use to explore the concepts of harmony day at your centre.

 

Relevant National Quality Framework Outcomes for Harmony Day

• 2.1 Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation.
• 2.2 Children respond to diversity with respect.
• 1.4 Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect.

 

Intentionality for Harmony Day Activities

• Recognise and articulate differences between people.
• Explore cultural stereo types.
• Reinforce inclusion, respect and care towards others regardless of differences.

 

Harmony Day App

If you have an iPad you can download the Harmony Day App from the app store and watch Harmony Day Stories come to life.

1. Go to the app store and search ‘Harmony day’.
2. Download the Harmony Day Stories App.
3. Make sure you download and print a copy of the Harmony Day poster from the Harmony Day website:
   http://www.harmony.gov.au/get-involved/app-downloads.
4. Select the ‘Activate Stories’ button from the app’s home page, follow the instructions and when ready select ‘Scan’. Point the camera towards the Harmony Day poster and watch it come to life!
5. Touch the screen character tabs to activate, listen and explore the stories of Renata, Kofi and Anh.

 

Harmony Day Hand Art

A field of hand flowers which can be resourced for most age groups.

Activity sourced from A field of tulips.

 

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

This story is a story about differences and overcoming preconceptions based on stereotypes. Watch the video below.

There are multiple resources which accompany this book to further explore the main concepts. Here is one such resource NED – Never Give Up, Encourage Others, Do Your Best.

 

Learning to say Hello

Language can be a barrier to communication and understanding yet there are so many ways to say the same thing in different languages. Learning a different way to say hello can help break down the language barrier and assist in developing acceptance.

Credit to: Eton Institute

 

Harmony Day Fish

A different take on Harmony day looking at diversity through fish.

Resource can be found at Harmony Day Fish

Disclaimer: This is a paid resource which is available for purchase. We are not associated nor do we receive any remuneration for including this resource.

 

More Resources

We have pinned a number of other related activities to our pinterest page. You can find it at Early Childhood Educator (Pinterest)

The Australian government has a website specifically for Harmony Day. See this link: Harmony Day