The end of the school year is fast approaching and in many centers the questions and discussions on next year program are already on the agendas.
Holidays are an important part of the curriculum when we work at the early childhood level and the primary level. Having diversity within the children makes us look at the holidays we celebrate and we ask ourselves, which ones should we include? There's lots of matter for thinking…
Mother's Day/Father's Day/Grandparents' Day:
Since there's no religious context in these holidays, they can easily be dealt with in any way, shape or form. Expressing love for a close family member is pretty well regarded from all.
Birthdays:
In most classes, we find birthdays posted up on the walls. Some children are not used to having their birthdays celebrated, therefore if you celebrate a child's birthday, they might not understand what exactly you are doing. Then if you don't celebrate their birthday, should you celebrate those of the other children?
This is an example where parent/teacher communication is important. Send out letters and let them know what and how you intend to celebrate their child's birthday, and respect their decisions. Communicate with them before you do anything.
Halloween:
You can briefly see how Halloween affects children in Robert Munsch's From Far Away, where a Lebanese Moslem girl was frightened at Halloween. She was scared of the costumes, skeletons, talk about ghosts etc. Many cultures don't approve of Halloween because they celebrate the dead, witches, evil.
Also the fact that the children have to get dressed up and go door-to-door to ask for candies is also against some principles. These are important facts to know before you decide to plan out the month of October just on Halloween.
Everyone I spoke to about Halloween made me questions why do we do this?
Valentine's Day:
Another holiday not well received in some cultures. In many countries, a marriage is considered a business contract therefore to celebrate a half naked little boy shooting arrows into people for them to 'fall in-love' will not follow their mentality.
Exchanging valentine cards also don't appeal to some. For many, love is found between two people and is an intimate time. Maybe then the words of love should be changed to friendship? These holidays should be fun but if some within your group are offended by these holidays, then you must rethink your goals and objectives.
Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter:
These are obviously are Catholic religious holidays that we grew up here with but in no-way include Moslems, Jewish people and other non-Christian religions. Is it fair to impose our traditions on them? Or to celebrate these holidays by excluding them?
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