Holidays in Early Childhood Classrooms and at Home

A school’s or organization’s approach to holidays has the power to amplify a child’s sense of belonging and significance. This article explores cultural mirrors and windows which offer students opportunities to experience both interconnectedness and interdependence. 

Though not without challenges, the winter season is an ideal time of year to model how to be empathetic, inclusive, and respectfully curious in a pluralistic society. This article offers some things to keep in mind when navigating seasonal religious holidays in a public school setting.

Teaching younger students about religious and cultural holidays is tough, but in schools across the nation culturally responsive teaching is opening up new possibilities. This article explores the Christmas dilemma. 

This article shows teachers how to bring rich cultural content into their teaching in a way that expands students’ knowledge, interest, and respect for the group being featured. The article offers suggestions that teachers can use throughout the school year, as well as when observing cultural and religious holidays and celebrations. 

This article explores ways in which the holidays present an opportunity for staff to offer engaging, developmentally appropriate, and culturally welcoming experiences for children and families. 

Holiday celebrations may cause disagreements in centers or schools. The role of holiday celebrations in the classroom is a common debate in the education field. Everyone has a few holidays they love to celebrate, but it’s important to remember that not everyone celebrates the same holidays and that many people celebrate holidays differently. 

This article provides some ideas about the challenges and diversity that holidays bring. Whether or not to include any holidays in the curriculum, and what activities to use, requires thoughtful decision making. 

The winter holiday season is a special time of year, especially for children. Early childhood education professionals strive to make this time of year special for the children and welcome the opportunity to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion. 

This article offers educators who want to incorporate holidays in their curriculum six tips to create a classroom environment that welcomes everyone and highlights the beauty of diverse traditions. 

This article explores simple ways to celebrate different holidays in the classroom, which can create a culture of inclusion and deepen understanding.