What is National Wattle Day?

Wattle Day is a day of celebration in Australia on the first day of September each year, which is the official start of the Australian spring. This is the time when many Acacia species (commonly called wattles in Australia), are in flower. So, people wear a sprig of the flowers and leaves to celebrate the day.

The day was originally intended to promote patriotism for the new nation of Australia.

When is National Wattle Day?

Friday, 1 September

Activities:

• Grouptime Stories:
  • Possum And Wattle: Little Hare Books by Bronwyn Bancroft
  • Why I Love Australia: Little Hare Books by Bronwyn Bancroft
• Colour in your own Wattle Day badge
• Children to bring in an old what shirt to paint green and gold of the wattle and wear it on National Wattle Day
• Group movement activity in learining "Folk dancing"
• Learning and listening to Wattle Day Songs
  • Wattle Day Song by David & Jan Raff
  • Where the Wattles Bloom by John Williams

What is World Humanitarian Day?

World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is held every year on 19 August to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world.

When is World Humanitarian Day?

Saturday, 19 August

Activities:

• Do a Good Deed on World Humanitarian Day
  • Ask families and staff to bring in food and items to donate to the poor
  • Donate items you no longer need to the homeless and less fortunate for them to have.
• Bring in a gold coin and raise money to donate to the World Humanitarian Day - https://support.savethechildren.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1631&1631.donation=form1

What is International Left Handers Day?

International Left Handers Day is an international day observed annually on August 13 to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of the left handers.

When is International Left Handers Day?

Sunday, 13 August

Activities:

• Create your own lefty zone:
  • Cutting – using right-handed scissors in left hand is an excellent example of totally right-biased design that doesn’t work well.
  • Drawing a measured line with a ruler
  • Having the computer mouse on the left of the keyboard and try drawing a shape on screen, or clicking and dragging – we usually have to do this with our right hand as the mouse is shared, and always set up for right-handed users 
  • Pour from water jugs using your left hand
  • Eating & drinking – reverse cutlery and have drink in left hand
  • If you have left handed guitar, give lessons to the right-handers.
  • Practice recorder or other instruments with hands reversed (top and bottom)
  • Illustrate an image with your left hand or write your name
• Group lesson - Children learning their left from their right (turn into a phycial activity where children need to listen and follow verbal instructions to turn left, right, forward and backwards) 
• Infants room - Dance to the Hokey Pokey

What is International Youth Day?

International Youth Day is to raise awareness designated by the United Nations. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to the problems young people face today and to unite and celebrate youth worldwide.The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.

2023 Theme: “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World”
To draw worldwide focus towards various issues surrounding the youths.

When is International Youth Day?

Saturday, 12 August

Activities:

• Staff project - Be Aware of the UN’s Agenda for Sustainable Development & The Global Goals.
• Teach the children about sustainable development
• Encourage and empower the children to play a role in their own future.

What is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples?

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples raises awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. This event also celebrate and honors the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.

When is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples?

Wednesday, 9 August

Activites:

• Start your own hall of fame featuring Indigenous role models.
• Listen to Indigenous musicians or watch a movie about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
• Particpate Indigenous arts and crafts.
• Research Indigenous history online or visit you library to find books about Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples.
• Intentional teaching - Learning the meanings of local or national Indigenous place names and words.
• Invite local Indigenous Elders to speak or give a Welcome to Country at your service or via zoom.
• Invite an Indigenous sportsperson or artist to visit you or via zoom.
• Incursion for the children to participate and learn about Indigenous history, culture and dances 
• Indigenous Inspired Story Stones - children looking for stones in the garden and creating their own stories