Eight students from CQUniversity Mackay recently coordinated events to raise the profile of young children, as part of their final-year subject Advocacy, Leadership and Change in Early Childhood.

The Bachelor of Learning Management students aligned the activities with the nationally-celebrated Early Childhood Australia - Under 8s Week theme of 'Think Globally, Act Locally'.

Participants in a picturebook activity designed to engage children in Indigenous culture

Local Early Childhood groups, George Street Multicultural Playgroup and Mackay Family Daycare supported the two events with enthusiasm during May.

Students Kim Edwards, Sarah Haber, Lisa Dixon and Danni King say that strengthening recognition of Indigenous Australian history is valuable to young children's learning.

The future Early Childhood educators engaged with their community by presenting Mary Albert's 'telling' of the Indigenous story How the Birds got their Colours. They said this picturebook activity was designed to help "develop our own awareness of ourselves as advocates for children and early childhood, and to enhance our capacity to advocate on behalf of young children, families and the community".

Supported by the knowledge and experience of Mackay Regional Council Cultural Services Library Assistant, Norell Binsiar, these students were specifically advocating for the inclusion of diverse cultures and history within young children's learning experiences.

The students engaged Mackay's Multicultural Playgroup in the Indigenous culture and enabled them to take part in listening and acting out the story using props.  The children and families involved also had the opportunity to participate in a colorful art activity afterwards.

Participants in activities at Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens got a feel for local 'nature'

"Storytelling and art is an important aspect of the Indigenous Australian culture and through the use of this in our activity we were advocating for and respecting the valuable role diversity plays in young children's learning," the students said.

Meanwhile, Early Childhood students Philip Gray, Bronte Altmann, Madeline Shepherd and Melanie Doyle helped kids get acquainted with nature at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens.

These students took the children on an adventure to find the ‘Bungy Jumping Caterpillars', so called because of their bungy jumping antics when disturbed.

The children and their parents/carers then walked through the Fernery of the gardens in search of different butterfly species. All who came enjoyed hand painting, storytime and making caterpillar antenna headbands.

The event's focus was to encourage young children to develop an awareness of the many kinds of creatures that live in their local natural community.

The students say it's important for young children to interact in the natural environment and explore the world around them. They welcomed the knowledge and support given to them by Maya Harrison of Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and Vanessa Whalan from Playgroup Australia.