Now to this week's article..............................
Halloween is definitely a subject of controversy among early childhood educators. Some are totally against the idea of celebrating this event and others have no problems with it. I tend to be in the middle of both sides.
I love candy and have a real sweet tooth, so I love the candy part of Halloween. Yes, I have children and I don't mind that they have candy and chocolate as long as they brush their teeth afterwards and once the candy is gone - it's gone! We set street limits before we leave the house and even if we finish early, we stop at our destination.
Halloween history can be found at The Darkside Parlour . This was a holiday to celebrate the dead and it is filled with symbols of skeletons, witches, ghosts and other evil and macabre creatures, but as adults don't we censor events for our children? We do, and this 'holiday' is no exception. I admit it's an event that's hard to control - it's plastered everywhere. But instead of getting upset at the props, this is an excellent time to teach theater. Use events to YOUR advantage. I LOVE Halloween! It's one of my favorite time of year. I work in a day care and there are so many good developmental goals that can be reached out of Halloween.
imagination Children love to dress up. Halloween for them is a chance to get dressed-up , made up and be dramatic. It's a "let's pretend" game that doesn't have to be over in 30 minutes. It lasts a day where they can leave home like that and show off their costumes to the neighbors.
Be vigilant and guiding when children pick costumes, last year we told parents no ninga/power rangers/batman allowed at the center. We had every child dress and the costume ranged from animals, the cartoon figures and personalities.
creativity This year we made our own hats and most fell under the theme of community workers. The children chose their own hat, thought of how to make it, painted it and the educators helped to make sure the hat wasn't going to fall apart. Making their own costumes creates , self-esteem and their sense of creating.
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