In the last week of November, Jenny noticed that the children were feeling under the weather and not in the greatest of moods. She also recognized these same feelings in herself, as the gloomy weather certainly did not help. Wanting to brighten both her own mood and the children’s, she began by decorating the classroom door with Christmas decorations and a countdown display. The children were very excited to see this new addition.
Jenny then asked the children what else they could do to make the room feel more festive. Nicole eagerly shouted, “More decorations!” Some children wanted to play with the decorations, so Jenny set up a small tuff tray and turned it into a Christmas-themed sensory bin, which was a big hit. While observing the children, she noticed Lennox hanging ornaments near the whiteboard and proudly sharing that he was helping decorate the classroom.
Over the next few days, Simone extended the learning by discussing that not everyone celebrates Christmas. She shared that some people celebrate other holidays such as Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, while others may not celebrate at all. She explained that everyone has different beliefs, and that this is okay, as long as we respect one another. The children were very interested and enjoyed sitting and listening to stories about different celebrations. They learned that celebrations are not only about presents and decorations, but also about how different cultures celebrate.
As a result of this learning, the educators noticed a positive shift in the children’s emotions. Using the emotions cards, they reflected on how moods had changed, with the children becoming more engaged and excited about what was coming next. Each day, Jenny invites the children to check the countdown, adjust the numbers on the door, and count how many days are left together.
The children continue to enjoy a variety of Christmas and holiday-related activities, whether through crafts or meaningful learning moments. These past few weeks have been filled with joy, helping to lift spirits and create a warm, positive classroom environment. The educators value using special events like Christmas as opportunities for both joyful learning and fun shared experiences.
