We’ve been celebrating and learning about different holidays and cultural traditions here in the Preschool room! We began by exploring Ramadan and Lent, focusing on how both observances emphasize community and charity. This led to a meaningful discussion about food insecurity, where the brainstormed non-perishable food items that they enjoy at home that we could donate to those in need. Our grocery list included peanut butter, beans, pasta, noodles, soup and pancake mix among other staples.
With our list in hand, we took a trip to the local fresh co, where the children carefully selected pantry staples to donate to our local food bank! This hands-on experience not only allowed us to contributed meaningfully to our community, but it also provided an opportunity to explore numeracy as we discussed budgeting and estimated costs. We even kept an eye out for “sale” stickers in the store to maximize the number of items we could donate within our budget!
To deepen our understanding of Ramadan, we read Yusuf helps with Iftaar. Through this story we learned that Iftaar is the meal that is enjoyed after sunset, typically starting with dates and water. Following the story, everyone had the chance to taste a date before lunch, making the learning experience even more immersive!
In addition to Ramadan, we also explored and celebrated Holi! The preschoolers engaged jn self-expression and creativity through body painting while learning about this vibrant festival. We started by gathering on the carpet to read Holi Hai!, a story that explains how Holi- also known as the Festival of Colours- is celebrated in India to mark the arrival of spring. The story highlighted the traditions of the festival including the preparations the day before Holi, when families create natural dyes from leaves, spices, and flowers, gather wood and prepare festive delicacies. The next morning, families wake up early, often dressed in white, and joyfully play with colours to welcome the new season.
To bring this tradition to life, the children participated in a hands-on painting experience, mixing and applying colours to their skin as well as a craft experience using actual Holi powder. These activities not only engaged their senses, they also helped them develop fine motor skills, build confidence and foster social interaction as they excitedly painted themselves and their peers.
Through this celebration we cultivated curiosity, creativity and a deeper appreciation diversity in a fun and meaningful way.
