As holiday celebrations approach, remember that every family has different traditions, beliefs, and comfort levels, said Dominique Webster-Outten, ELRC Region 5’s health and safety coach.
Early childhood education providers should plan activities that celebrate the season through kindness, creativity, community, and learning while being respectful and inclusive of all children and families, Webster-Outten said.
Additionally, providers should communicate with families ahead of time about classroom celebrations and offer activities that allow every child to participate in a way that feels welcoming and meaningful.
Making the Holidays Inclusive
Early childhood educators should focus on creating an environment of inclusion during the holiday season that respects and celebrates the diversity of the children and families they serve, the Child Development Associate (CDA) Council wrote in an article on the topic. Rather than focusing on a specific holiday, educators should emphasize such concepts as kindness, respect, and cultural appreciation.
The CDA Council’s six tips for creating an inclusive holiday environment in the classroom include:
Acknowledge the diversity of holidays, practices, and traditions by engaging families in the planning process. Then, use this input to inform your classroom’s activities, ensuring they reflect the varied experiences of the children in the classroom.
Focus on shared values and emphasize acts of kindness, giving projects, and community connections.
Celebrate through play, such as a multicultural storytime, arts and crafts, music, and dance.
Make sure that activities are developmentally appropriate. The goal isn’t to explain the complexities of traditions, but to offer experiences that help children appreciate and respect diversity.
Not all families celebrate holidays and may prefer that their child opts out of specific activities. If this happens, respect these choices by offering thoughtful alternatives for children to complete at the same time or by shifting your plans altogether.
Conclude the season with a celebration that showcases what the children have learned and experienced, such as a “festival of lights” where children can display crafts or perform songs or dances from different traditions or a potluck featuring child-friendly dishes from various cultures.
For more information on how to make holidays more inclusive in the classroom, check out Penn State Extension’s Holidays With Intention: Reflecting on Joy and Belonging for Every Child and Child Care Ed’s How Can Holiday Activities Be Inclusive for All Families?