What does World Down Syndrome Day celebrate?

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated each year since 2011. This day was selected to signify the uniqueness and raise award of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

It's a day that raises awareness to promote discussion surrounding the acceptance of all our differnece and what make us unique indivaduals in many special ways.

When is World Down Syndrome Day celebrated?

Tuesday, 21 March

Activities:

• Provide an online training or face-to-face for educators to broadent heir knowledge, undertsanding and skills on how to work with children with disabilities, disccuss and learn inclusive topic and how to meaningfully include children with disabilities into their learning program and classroom. 
• Help raise funds and particiapte in the "Lots of Socks" campaign to donate to Down Syndrome Australia to assist with further research and treatments - https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/news-events/national-events-filter-by-s-t/lots-of-socks-2021/
• Invite the children to come dressed in blue and yellow and donate a gold coin.
• Plan a cooking experience for children to assist in baking blue and yellow cupcakes.
• Plan for group time to read "Taking Down Syndrome to School (Special Kids in School)" by Jenna Glatzer which can be purchased from the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Down-Syndrome-School-Special/dp/1891383191/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457411637&sr=1-1&keywords=taking+down+syndrome+to+school
• Learn and discuss information facts about what is Down Syndrome and what makes them so specia. Click the following for more information and resources: https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5eCBhCBARIsAEhk4r5OYAwjX6IiN3tAdlPEp-BNnc5zrbGajzaVPRyESCSA6z8HwPQqokUaAtNIEALw_wcB

What does French Language Day celebrate?

French Language Day raises awareness in the international community about the history and cutlure and the use of the language. 

There are six "Language Days" each year. The six language days are French, Russian, English, Arabic and Chinese. All are these days give us the opportunity to appreciate and learn more about the languages, culture and history from around the world. 

When is French Language Day celebrated?

Monday, 20 March

Activities:

• Learning how to say hello and basic words in French (Learn French for Kids - Numbers, Colors & More)
• Displaying the world map and learning about a differnet country each day; their language, traditional clothings, foods and culture.
• Inviting the children to come dressed in their traditional clothes and sharing what they do as a family and the language their family speak at home.
• Setting out cultural diversity children books in book corner for the children to read, learn and ask questions.
• Displaying flags from around the world around your centre. 
• Invite children to participate in cooking from a French translated cookbook.
• Learning and listening to songs in French. For Example: 
  

  Frere Jacques lyrics

  Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,
  Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
  Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
  Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

  The song is traditionally translated into English as:

  Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
  Brother John, Brother John,
  Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
  Ding, ding, dong. Ding, ding, dong.

What does International Day of Happiness celebrate?

International Day of Happiness is a global celebration that raises recognition of the relevance of happiness and well-being in our lives as human beings.

This day is to encourage people to do something for themselves to make them happy and a day to remember the importance of taking care of yourself, including your mental health.

When is International Day of Happiness celebrated?

Monday, 20 March

Activities:

• Read children stories about happiness and positive emotions.
• Group disucssion - Allow the children to express and share what makes them happy and excited.
• For infant and toodlers: Display pictures that express feelings and discuss why the people in the picture are happy.
• Have a day full of fun: Dancing, free play, ask the children to choose and suggest what activities they would like set out or what they would like to do. 
• Have a picnic at a local park
• Invite and encourage to express their happiness through illustration: drawing and painting. 
• Organising a staff outing to show appreciation of their hard work and that their input into the business is recognised.

Bright Buttons is a small 20 place centre in Waratah, Newcastle NSW. We have a strong focus on creating engaging and inviting learning environments where children are encouraged to play, learn and grow through a wide variety of interest based experiences. We strive to create a service where all families, children and visitors feel welcome in a calm and home-like environment.

Our small service provides the opportunity for children to be able to interact with their peers across all ages from 0-5 years old. We offer mixed age grouping and an indoor/outdoor learning environment for the majority of our day. This provides opportunity for siblings to interact and spend time with each other throughout the day. There are many benefits to mixed age grouping; including children having contact with other children across all ages. Younger children have the opportunity engage with their older peers and follow their lead in play. Older children have the opportunity to develop care, empathy and respect and often assert their independence to meet the needs of younger children.

We provide a play based learning environment for children based on their interests and skills, learning and development occurs through an interactive hands on approach that focuses on the process of learning rather than an end product. Each child's unique capabilities, interests and needs are paramount in our service and our environment provides opportunities for children to thrive through hands on experiences with people and materials.

What is National Close the Gap Day?

The Close the Gap campaign is the result of the Australian public’s overwhelming support for improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
the Close the Gap campaign for Indigenous Health Equality is a highly regarded movement that has shaped government policy. It is led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and supported by mainstream health and advocacy organisations from around the country.

When is National Close the Gap Day?

Thursday, 16 March