by Julie Poole, M. Ed., Connections Manager

 

To celebrate or not to celebrate? That is the question asked by many early care and education professionals. Different families and cultures have various ways of recognizing holidays, while some families refrain from celebrating at all. To meet both the academic and social and emotional needs of young children, it is essential that classroom celebrations are inclusive and accepting. Here are some tips to plan special events that are sure to be enjoyed by all.

1. Plan celebrations that reflect the diversity of the children in your program and community. Encourage involvement from families and community partners.

2. Put together a planning committee made up of families and staff.

3. Avoid a “tourist” approach by consistently exposing children to materials and images of children and families from diverse backgrounds including different family structures, ages, cultures, and ability levels. Materials should be displayed at the children’s eye level throughout the classroom.

4. Serve foods that reflect the cultures that you serve in your program such as a mango lassi or an allergen-friendly paella. Ask families what foods they eat at home to see what you might be able to incorporate into your celebration menu.

5. Read all about it: stock your classroom library with books about celebrations across diverse cultures. Try reading Shubh Diwali! By Chitra Soundar and How to Catch a Dragon by Adam Wallace.

6. Plan celebrations based on seasons as opposed to traditional holidays such as Winter Carnival, Summer Solstice, and Spring Equinox. Celebrate cultural and seasonal events such as Women’s History Month and National Garden Month.

7. Celebrations are not just for holidays. Celebrate fun and simple occasions such as National Blueberry Muffin Day and World Hearing Day.

8. Plan alternate activities for non-participating children.

9. Implement policies and procedures to ensure that all food and beverages served are allergen friendly. Ensure that food from home is store-bought instead of homemade, so that you can be aware of any associated allergens.