Edel,
demonstrating with the globe is such a key part of this learning activity.
When asked “Why is it dark at night?” I have had children tell me “so we can go to sleep.” Children need to be able to step beyond – what happens when it is dark in a child-centred way to reasoning about the world with models.
I like your choice of China and Europe – very often children who have understood that it is dark on another part of the world think of Australia as their place.