Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) takes a child-rights approach to education, promoting children’s active citizenship. It encourages early years educators to introduce child rights into children's daily practice. When it comes to decisions around space and infrastructure, children and young people – particularly young children – are overlooked and ignored, dismissed as "too young" to have worthwhile perspectives to offer. This report provides an opportunity for young children to practice sharing their thoughts and feelings about the things that matter to them. 

Between October and December 2024, preschool-aged children were asked to draw a picture of their favourite thing about being outside. Early years educators were asked to write down each child’s description of their drawing and return the postcards before the end of the school year. A total of 156 postcards were received from children attending eight preschools and childcare centres across South Australia. Most of the children who participated in the Early Years Postcards initiative were 4 years of age.