What is Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice, also known as estival solstice or midsummer, occurs each year when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere.

When is Summer Solstice?

Friday, 22 December

Activities:

• Read Summer-Themed books together to celebrate the Summer Solstice - The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstic by Wendy Pfeffer
• Play the “How Tall is My Shadow?” Game - At noon on each solstice day, measure from your child’s toe to his or her shadow’s top. Have the child measure your shadow, too, and record the numbers.
• Make flower crowns together.
• Create sun inspired art - children used their creativity to paint their image of summer.

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates the rededication of the second temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival. 

When is Hanukkah?

Thursday, 7 December to Friday, 15 December

Activities:

• Learning about what is Hanukkah and what the day celebrates. 
• Cooking experience: Invite the children to participate in making potato pancakes, doughnuts stuffed with jam, and fritters.
• Arts and Craft: Invite the children to make their own candle to take home for the family to ligh upon Hanukkah.
• Make a sensory menorah for toddlers.
• Hanukkah candle play for preschool age children (using Menorahs and Play Dough). 

What is International Day of Persons with Disabilities?

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

When is International Day of Persons with Disabilities?

Sunday, 3 December

Activities:

• Learning sign language and touching and exploring with Braille letters and numbers
• Explain the assistance some people with disabilities may need - asssitance with walking, assistance with talking, assistance with hearing, assistance with speaking, assistance with driving etc.
• Invite child to join in a activity where they wear a blindfold and with their peer with them to give directions of where the hidden object in the room is located. At the end of the activity, discuss with the preschooler how much more difficult it was to find the object with a blind fold. This activity helps preschoolers understand what it is like to be blind.
• AUSLAN Alphabet Mats/ Templates

What is World Kindness Day?

World Kindness Day is a day to remember how important it is to think of others and spread kidness whenever and however possible. World Kidness Day is celebrated each year on the 13th November because it is the day that it was launched. 

When is World Kindness Day?

Monday, 13 November

How can you celebrate World Kindness Day? 

• Let somebody go first
• Help a friend with their work.
• Ask somebody who is by themselves to come and play.
• Let somebody go in front of you in a line.
• Bring flowers for a grown-up.
• Hold the door open for somebody.
• Give somebody a hug.
• Give some toys to a charity shop.
• Pick up litter.
• Make a new friend.
• Smile at people.
• Feed the birds in the garden.
• Give a compliment to someone.
• Send a postcard to a friend.

Activities – How to celebrate

• Group discussion regarding Random Acts of Kindness Day
• Books regarding kindness and emotions
• Role play kind gestures
• Card making for someone who they haven’t spoken to in while
• Playing with other friends in classroom
• Having children interact with the younger/older groups

What is United Nation Day?

United Nations Day celebrates the anniversary of the establishment of the UN Charter.The UN is a global organisation which provides hope to millions of people across the world. One of its main aims is to provide a better world for the future generations. The UN brings together countries with the power to make change worldwide. On the 26th June 1945, shortly after the Second World War, China, France, The Soviet Union, The United Kingdom and the United States signed a charter which officially came into existence October 1945. 

The United Nations is held annually on the 24th October with a different theme each year. This year's theme is 

"Equality, Freedom and Justice for all"

When is United Nation Day?

Tuesday, 24 October

Activities:

• Centre Project: creating your own "World hand in hand" display
• Display the multi world flags around your centre
• Hosting an international fair in house - where the children can explore cultural foods, instruments, music, clothing, images and flags. This can be done by asking parents to bring in an item in for the day for the children to see during their international in house fair. 
• Virtual incursion where they can learn and participate in a cultural performance.
• Awareness discussions about the significance of the UN work and why it is important to appreciate diversity and different cultures