NSW Preschools embracing Harmony Week

New South Wales preschools embraced their multicultural backgrounds to celebrate Harmony Week. Harmony Week is a federal government initiative to celebrate Australia’s diversity, promoting inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. 

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are a comfortable environment for children to begin conversations about cultural diversity through play. 

Bonnyrigg Public School Preschool participated in Harmony Week activities, including mapping the countries of their family backgrounds, an engaging performance from the school’s Aboriginal dance group and learning new words in Darug and Vietnamese.

In the Harmony Week 2024 message from the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, David Hurley expressed “The theme of Harmony Week goes right to the heart of what the celebration is all about. Everyone belongs, recognises that Australia welcomes people from all over the world. Diversity and the contributions of those individuals to our society are valued.”

Woy Woy Public School’s Guliyali Preschool encouraged families to attend their Harmony Day celebrations to understand each other’s backgrounds. 

The children ate traditional Sri Lankan food, had their faces painted with ochre by Aboriginal Elder Uncle Patrick Pumpa and danced to Brazilian music. 

“It’s important for our children to feel connected to one another by recognising and appreciating the similarities that unite us and embracing our differences that make us special and unique,” explained early childhood teacher, Alix Leo.

Harmony Week is an opportunity to highlight ideas around diversity and inclusion. It is also imperative that these values are embedded in everyday activities for children to ensure a culturally safe environment.

Riverstone Public School Gulyangarri Preschool assistant principal, Snezana Hill says “Although we celebrate diversity every day at our preschool, Harmony Day is an opportunity to encourage community participation, foster inclusiveness, celebrate diversity, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.”

There are countless ways to celebrate diversity and encourage inclusiveness amongst children.

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has resources and lesson plans to support these conversations in early childhood. You can access these tools here.