Traditions are such an important part of the holiday season. We are always surrounding ourselves with the festive spirit this time of year. Traditions are a big part of togetherness and the toddler 2 program continues to embark on new traditions yet still having some must-do traditions.
This year we’ve accumulated loads of holiday themed activities from reading books like “Frosty the Snowman”, to singing songs such as “5 Little Snowman”, while also including crafts and holiday themed dance parties.
Traditions shouldn’t be too much work, it should be fun and exciting. Engaging alongside the children makes the learning experience happier and eventful. The easiest way to keep this time of year fun for all is to keep them simple and happy. Hang-on to the traditions that fulfill you with joy and traditions that work but don’t be afraid to replace old ones with new.
This year we incorporated a new tradition as we invited the children to paint green onto small paper plates. The paint was mixed with clear glue which allowed for sensory decorations such as pom-poms, pipe cleaners, and foam shapes to be attached. The children were eager to be expressive with their art. Once the plates dried, we connected all the artwork to create a large 3D Christmas Tree. This tree represents community! The children worked together on this value we encourage within our program. A sense of community is a feeling of belonging and connection within our group. A sense of community is a key component for engagement. We are excited to continue embarking on our festive holiday journey and we encourage families to share some of their holiday traditions with us. Happy Holidays!
