It’s that time of year again—Harmony Week (March 17–23, 2025)—where we celebrate the beautiful mix of cultures that make Australia what it is today. This year’s theme, "Everybody Belongs," couldn’t be more fitting. It’s all about inclusion, respect, and making sure every person, no matter their background, feels at home.

And let’s be real—Australia is one of the most diverse places in the world. The latest stats prove it!

Australia’s Growing Diversity

While we’re still waiting on the 2026 Census for updated ancestry and language breakdowns, here’s what we do know:

• As of June 2024, Australia’s population hit 27.2 million—yep, we’ve grown! 🚀
• This is mainly thanks to migration, with over 445,600 new people arriving in the past year.
• More than 300 languages are spoken across Aussie households.
• Nearly half of us were either born overseas or have at least one parent who was.

We’re a true multicultural hub, and Harmony Week is our time to celebrate that!

Why Does It Matter?

Diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s what makes Australia stronger, more innovative, and, let’s be honest, way more interesting. Whether it’s the food, traditions, or languages, our differences make life richer.

But true inclusion isn’t just about celebrating for one week and moving on. It’s about making sure that everyone feels safe, valued, and heard—every day.

Harmony Day Activities for Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC)

Little learners absorb so much from the world around them, and Harmony Day is a great chance to introduce them to different cultures in fun and engaging ways. Here are some ECEC-friendly activities to bring diversity, belonging, and respect into your centre:

🎨 Cultural Handprint Mural

• Get the kids to dip their hands in different coloured paints and press them onto a big sheet of paper to create a "Everybody Belongs" mural.
• Each child can write (or have an educator write) their name and heritage next to their handprint.

📚 Storytime Around the World

• Read picture books that celebrate diversity, such as:
  • I’m Australian Too by Mem Fox
  • Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
  • My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald
  • All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
• Follow up with open-ended questions about different cultures, kindness, and belonging.

🎶 Sing in Different Languages

• Learn simple greetings or songs from different cultures, such as:
  • “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” in Mandarin, Arabic, or Spanish
  • Australian Aboriginal songs like Taba Naba (Torres Strait Islander)
  • Classic Aussie multicultural tunes like Waltzing Matilda

🍲 Multicultural Food Tasting

• Invite families to bring a dish from their cultural background and do a food-sharing day.
• Talk about where the food comes from and encourage kids to describe the flavours.
• For allergy-friendly options, educators can prepare simple snacks inspired by different cuisines (e.g. rice crackers, tropical fruits, naan bread).

🎭 Dress-Up Day

• Let kids and educators wear traditional outfits or colours representing their heritage.
• Have a fashion parade where children can talk about their outfits (or educators can help them describe it).

🏡 "Where in the World?" Map Activity

• Put up a big world map and add photos or drawings of the children with a string leading to their family’s country of origin.
• Encourage kids to find different countries and talk about them.

✂️ Paper Doll Chain of Diversity

• Give each child a paper doll and let them decorate it to represent themselves (skin tones, outfits, flags, etc.).
• Connect all the dolls into a long paper chain to symbolise unity and belonging.

🤝 Kindness Chain

• Throughout the day, whenever a child does something kind, write it on a paper link and add it to a growing "Kindness Chain."
• At the end of the week, count how many acts of kindness were shared!

How Can You Get Involved Beyond ECEC?

• Wear Orange 🧡—It’s the official colour of Harmony Week, symbolising respect and belonging.
• Join Events 🎉—From cultural festivals to workplace lunches, get involved and meet people from different backgrounds.
• Start Conversations 💬—Talk about diversity, learn about different cultures, and reflect on how we can be more inclusive.
• Support Multicultural Communities 🌏—Try a new restaurant, visit cultural museums, or learn a few phrases in another language.

A little reminder

Harmony Week is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder to celebrate, learn, and take action. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness or bigger cultural shifts, we all have a role to play.

So grab your orange outfits, get the kids involved in the fun, and let’s make Harmony Week 2025 one to remember! 🎉

Because at the end of the day, diversity isn’t about being different—it’s about coming together to create something incredible. 🌏✨