During circle time, we explored the idea that people celebrate many different things during this time of year. The children shared what they knew about different celebrations, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Some of them talked about gift-giving, while others focused on spending time with people they love and care about. Our discussion naturally led to the idea that not everyone celebrates the same way, and that each family has its own traditions that make them special.
To extend this conversation, I set out a large sheet of paper with paint and invited the children to create something that represented what they celebrate or what feels meaningful to them. Some children used their palms to paint Christmas trees and presents, while others focused more on their families or the feeling of being together. A few simply explored the colours and shapes while talking about their own routines at home, such as reading books before opening Christmas presents.
Throughout the activity, the children continued to share their ideas with each other, showing interest in different traditions that they discussed. This experience helped to highlight diversity within our classroom and helped to support the children's sense of identity and belonging. It also encourages the children to view kindness, curiosity, and an appreciation for the many ways people celebrate differently.
