Five Unique Ways Daycare Centres Celebrate Diverse Holidays

At each daycare in Surrey that we represent, fostering an inclusive and culturally rich environment for our young learners is an important part of activities and curriculum. The representation of different cultures at a daycare in Surrey is essential for shaping well-rounded, culturally aware, and empathetic individuals. It contributes to the social, emotional, cognitive, and identity development of young children, allowing for a more inclusive society. Celebrating diverse holidays in particular is not only a wonderful way to teach children about the world but also provides enjoyable and entertaining activities for kids during the fall and winter months. Here are a few unique ways to celebrate diverse holidays in daycare centres:

Christmas

Celebrating Christmas with toddlers can be a magical and exciting experience that embraces gathering with loved ones and other joys of the colder cozy months. While one daycare in Surreychild care centres may include traditional Christmas songs and books during holiday activity time, others may put on plays or encourage hands-on crafts. Engaging toddlers in a creative activity such as designing ornaments inspired by various cultures can be a great way to teach children while keeping them inspired. Provide materials for crafting ornaments that represent different holiday symbols and traditions or decorations.

Hannukah

Sharing the traditions of Hannukah at a daycare in Surrey can be super fun for kids of all ages. One of the best ways to teach and celebrate diverse cultures and topics is through the magic of reading and books. These days, there are so many Hannukah books on the market to choose from that share traditional stories in new ways, from “I Spy” to “Hannukah Bear.” Matching games, songs about the dreidel and clay dough menoras are all examples of fun and educational holiday activities for young children.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a week-long cultural celebration that honours African heritage and traditions annually from December 26th to January 1st. To share the history and tradition of Kwanzaa with children at a daycare in Surrey, many teachers find a simple Kwanzaa song or dance and teach it to their class. Using music with traditional African rhythms and movements is a great way to encourage physical activity while also introducing the cultural aspects of Kwanzaa. There are many traditional Kwanzaa treats and feasts that children may also be introduced to through curriculum and encouraged to discover outside of classroom time.

Diwali

Diwali is a Hindu and Sikh festival celebrated by millions of people across the world. The festival usually lasts for five days and is marked by various ceremonies. Diwali typically falls in October or November, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. At a daycare in Surrey, facilitators and staff will often teach and celebrate Diwali to children through crafts. For younger children, designing a paper plate diya lamp with the help of an adult can be a fun and exciting way to learn about Diwali traditions while allowing for individual creativity. Children are often enamoured with the vibrant colours, patterns and designs that are used to celebrate and represent the holiday.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year determined by a lunar calendar. Creating a mini parade with toddlers gets everyone excited and involved. Play traditional Chinese music and encourage the children to move and dance to the beat, mimicking the lively dragon and lion dances, or wear their homemade costumes or puppets. For a quick activity, children at a daycare in Surrey may be encouraged to create alluring crafts that follow guidelines of red and gold- the traditional colours representing good luck and prosperity.