Pros of Celebrating Holidays: Only shows limited view of a culture. Complete-A-Project Bible Search: Following Jesus, Complete-A-Project Bible Search: Jesus Teaches about the Law, Catechist: Im discouraged. Visit WETA's other education websites: Start with a Book| Reading Rockets|AdLit|LD OnLine, Web development by Boxcar Studio and Rapid Development Group, A bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners. Text 2: A magazine article about the pros and cons of children celebrating Valentine's Day. The best reason to move during the holidays - you will save money. The head teacher explains Edwards right to practice fasting. On the one hand, they help teachers save valuable class time while boosting student engagement. When elementary-age children have holidays and parents do not, parents can be left scrambling for day care options. Focus on the awareness of religions rather than acceptance of any one religion. For example, four cups of wine are ordinarily consumed during a Seder; in this version, students will sip from a cup of juice twice. She has students choose one to three resources, which include songs and videos in addition to stories and articles. Okay, not everything, but most businesses, including museums and other tourist attractions, are closed. Helps to relieve the fatigue of continuous work and to restore the energy and health for the next schedule. She has been published in "Teaching Today" and "Burnside Writer's Collective." Enhance your career and improve your knowledge, skills, and practices with our in-person and online training. Celebration of Christmas is a staple in preschools and elementary education settings. Makes a person remain with the family for enjoying and planning for the future. As Catholics, we praise God that Jesus passed over from death to new life and pray that we, too, may one day share that new life. Acknowledging or celebrating holidays in early childhood programs can bring pleasure to many families, staff, and children and can be useful in building connections between school and families. They all depend on factors like age, social, marital and parental status, company position or carreer choices. } Tell students that Jewish people celebrate Passover each year with a sacred meal called a Seder. See Review the Story of Exodus at the end of this article for an activity that will help you and your students review the story of the Exodus in preparation for your classroom Seder meal. When viewing video content or other materials at home, students have the option of learning at their own pace. And teachers, like their students, behave in ways that reflect their culture. Jesus was a devout Jew, as were his first disciples. Celebrations can also be whimsical and playfulfor example, Bring Books Alive Day (making and wearing costumes from books, eating foods from favorite books, acting out favorite stories); Pajama Day (wearing pjs and slippers to school, telling bedtime stories, sharing family bedtime rituals); or Backwards Day (wearing clothes backwards, doing things in reverse order of an ordinary day). Why Should Students Learn About Holidays? Up to 3 times higher prices of services. 2. Each community, under the supervision of the rabbi, developed its own Haggadah, which means guide or script. What do seem to be fairly consistent are the four questions that are at the heart of the ritual. You will see things that spark your curiosity, make you wonder, and amaze you all at once. Please confirm that you want to proceed with deleting bookmark. The holidays can be used to explore how people of diverse backgrounds practice similar values. Have an approach that is academic and not devotional. You may be considered cheap. May offend families with different beliefs. Here are some ideas to help you highlight multicultural and religious holidays appropriately, and select the right activities and materials: When it comes to religious holidays or traditions, what is their appropriate place in the curriculum? And dont schedule the event at a time (such as Friday night) that might conflict with someones religious observances. Learn about the collaborative initiative to advance a unified early childhood education profession. Edutopia and Lucas Education Research are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. This court decision has three important parts to it: [*such as classroom instruction in a public school]. Here is an incident where a student teacher allows her personal feelings to undercut a basic practice of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Please add products before saving :). When Henry Ford gave his workers a five-day week in 1926, having Saturdays off was seen as a revolutionary shift to the typical workweek. Some teachers simply read a story aloud about each holiday while others dive in with open discussions and hands-on experiences. Many in the education community believe that this is due to an outdated school schedule still based on a harvest schedule that gives students summers off and extensive holidays throughout the year. They also can build schoolfamily connections and community within a program. To support the experiences of children, their families and the staff in the program. Non-Thinking Use Holiday Biased Curriculum An Anti-Biased Approach Grades: 6-8, 9-12. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Along with these we also observe and recognize Martin Luther King Day, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Kwanzaa, Labor Day, the Jewish holidays, and many others. Find the latest news and members-only resources that can help employers navigate in an uncertain economy. How Are You Approaching Holidays with Sensitivity in the Classroom? Advantage of moving during the holidays - it is cheaper. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. We can't escape the eve of All Saints' Day but we can prevent our kids from getting into trouble. Major support provided by our founding partner, the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. There are countless Christian Seders available online if you choose to go that route. Page through Exodus chapters 7-15 with the class and have each group choose passages they will illustrate on the tablecloth. At least 32 people were killed and 85 injured in northern Greece when a passenger train collided head-on with a high-speed freight train late Tuesday night, just before midnight. June 8, 2022. These are topics that require clarifying conversations. Its not advisableand virtually impossibleto ask workers to keep their religious holiday observances completely separate from work. Holiday celebrations are perfect opportunities for children to learn about our multicultural world and share traditions and values that are cherished parts of people's lives. For instance, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department sued because he was required, he said, to attend a Christmas celebration and training session at a Christian church. Should You Celebrate Holidays in the Classroom? And, given the significance of a wedding, honoring marriage on top of an already special occasion will make it much more memorable. Support our mission and reach the NAEYC audience through your advertisement, conference exhibit booth, or sponsorship. While students may not need the amount of time off they currently receive, some breaks encourage rest and give students the boost they need to do their best when they are back in class. Review the Story of ExodusMake a Seder Tablecloth. Anti-Bias Education: The December Holidays from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Holidays give families an opportunity to spend time together and celebrate. In May, I teach the children English Morris dances, which date back to springtime planting celebrations of more than a thousand years ago. All of these recommendations are in line with the standard that officially guides states and schools on this issue the "Lemon Test," named after the 1971 court case of Lemon v. Kurtzman. Some schools may place no limit on holiday discussion while others may ask teachers to skip lessons on holidays entirely. Support access to high-quality early childhood education programs and opportunities and resources for educators. Edward makes sure to talk with the child that the next day. Lets freeze your piece and you can eat it after the holiday. Esther relaxes, gives her cake to the teacher, and goes off to play. Understanding the different ways people do and dont celebrate; learning accurate, respectful vocabulary about holidays; broadening childrens worldview of what a holiday isthese are all wonderful, powerful learning outcomes for children about holidays. Compromise: Opt for a faux tree. SHRM Employment Law & Compliance Conference, Celebrating the Holidays and Diversity in the Workplace, New OSHA Guidance Clarifies Return-to-Work Expectations, Trump Suspends New H-1B Visas Through 2020, Faking COVID-19 Illness Can Have Serious Consequences, Antisemitism Fears, Incidents Are Rising in the US, Former CNN Anchor Speaks on Being Canceled, Overcoming Biases, How to Balance Religious Accommodations with Company Vaccination Requirements. Now playing. Halloween is fun, but it can be stressful. Respecting the cultural diversity among the families you serve means recognizing that all have the right to their traditions. Fewer tourists at Tet festival. Develop grassroots efforts advancing early childhood in your community with these tools and resources. He explains why he hadnt eaten and assures the child that he is happy for her birthday. Done thoughtfully, holiday activities also promote a sense of community among children in the program who celebrate different holidays. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Avoiding Academic Work. Instead, people look forward to the holidays for the presents that they'll receive. Our nation is rich in many cultural and religious traditions, and celebrations focusing on specific groups have grown and become more popular in the last twenty years. Families may find certain holidays stressful due to the amount of commercialization and the media pressure to buy. Celebrate a national holiday as a class and discuss its meaning Have scholars share their personal experiences of holidays Classroom Considerations Instructors are encouraged to supplement or substitute resources to meet the needs of their students Pros Lesson provides a sample key of the celebration matrix to assist learners Your school librarian may also be able to provide resources for you and your students to use in your research. Leaked Footage Shows People Inexplicably Walking Into Building That Has No Food. A lifetime activist for children and families, she continues to write, teach, and consult on issues of equity, diversity, and anti-bias. Some [employers] give major Christian and Jewish holidays off and are moving to include major Muslim holidays as well. The First Amendment Center, in coalition with the AFT and a number of other organizations including the NEA, have issued a guide for educators on such issues called "Finding Common Ground." As part of the meal, a lamb bone is used to represent the lamb God commanded the Israelites to slaughter and to mark their doorways with its blood. Teaching Elementary-Age ELLs the Hidden Curriculum, Christmas Stories: American Indian Heritage, Winter Stories: Asian Pacific American Heritage, My Celebrations: Books For Young Children, Migrant Students: What We Need to Know to Help Them Succeed, How to Create a Welcoming Classroom Environment for ELLs, Tips for Choosing Culturally Appropriate Native Books and Resources, Social and Emotional Support for Refugee Families: A School Psychology Perspective, 10 Strategies for Building Relationships with ELLs, Language Objectives: The Key to Effective Content Area Instruction for English Learners, Supporting ELLs in the Mainstream Classroom: 12 Strategies for Language Instruction, Using Cognates to Develop Comprehension in English, Culturally Responsive Instruction for Holiday and Religious Celebrations. The Music Okay, look. The kindergarten has spent a few days learning about Passover. "Medication has to do with managing behavior in a variety of different circumstances.". Diversity, whether it involves religion or the gender of the partner someone brings to a workplace party, should be celebrated along with the holidays so that everyone feels welcome, experts advise. }); if($('.container-footer').length > 1){ } Theyre not in church on Sunday., Passing on the Joyful Encounter: The role of the catechist. Whether or not to include any holidays in your curriculum, and what activities to use if you do, requires thoughtful decision making. During the Jewish Passover celebration, our Jewish brothers and sisters drink wine and eat unleavened bread. Your shopping cart will be sent with product images, information, and subtotal. I've been in Maryland my entire life, but nothing will change the fact that I absolutely HATE being unnecessarily cold. Many educators have fought to continue celebrating holidays in the classroom because they see firsthand the value these lessons bring to their students. Please purchase a SHRM membership before saving bookmarks. Please note that all such forms and policies should be reviewed by your legal counsel for compliance with applicable law, and should be modified to suit your organizations culture, industry, and practices. It is no coincidence, I tell students, that holidays like Easter and Passover, representing life and freedom, happen around the same time as more ancient springtime holidays.. Less visible are the different ways in which our cultures influence our understanding of the world and how we interact with others. Reasons to avoid Vietnam during Tet (lunar new year) Everything closes down. The focus of Passover celebrations in Jewish homes is a ritual meal called a Seder. In a traditional Seder, there are two ritual hand-washings; here there is only one. Holidays give families an opportunity to spend time together and celebrate. Celebrating the Holidays and Diversity in the Workplace The winter holidays can also be a source of conflict for HR managers, who must ensure the season doesn't lead to hurt feelings,. From Columbus Day to Independence Day to Thanksgiving, the U.S. pretty much specializes in taking dates that celebrate genocide and discrimination, and repackaging them as family-friendly holidays. We recognize the obvious cultural differences such as foods, heroes, holidays, arts, and clothing differences that, much like the tip of the iceberg, are clearly visible above the water. It does mean that you make choices that do not disrespect or leave out any family. 8. Here are our tips on what to cover, how to incorporate the holidays into your educational lesson plans, and more! Connect with professionals in your community at conferences, networking events, advocacy efforts, leadership opportunities and more! The Good (Pros) Celebrating holidays can bring students together and help create a sense of community in the classroom. This article is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, redisseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of Bayard, Inc. The Pros and Cons of Head Start include: Pros of Head Start Head Start is Free Transportation is Included (Sometimes) Head Start Children Have a Lot of Social Interaction Head Start Teachers Are Licensed by Their State Head Start Children Are Exposed to a Multicultural Environment Your Child Will Learn Daily Life Skills and Routines Especially in diverse communities or schools with ELLs, celebrating your students cultures and observed holidays can help everyone feel respected and included. Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964 says employers cant discriminate based on religion, and must reasonably accommodate employees sincerely held religious practices unless it will cause the employer an undue hardship. That means people cant be fired because their religion forbids them from working on the Sabbath, but it also means companies arent required to let the entire staff take off the entire week of Christmas. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and . The government or public action in question* should only engage in secular or civil matters, leaving religion up to the individual. Ignite and fulfill your professional development goals! Some of the reasons have to do with cultural sensitivity. When the students have finished decorating their portion of the tablecloth with the part of the story they are illustrating, have them explain their drawing to the class and tell how it relates to the Exodus story. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate, as long as you work to foster an inclusive and accepting classroom environment. Benefit #2: You get cultural immersion for a few hours. History of Elf on the Shelf The scout elf tradition . Check out this list of alternatives to celebrating holidays Read More about Alternatives to Celebrating Holidays in the Classroom. A student teacher, enjoying her cupcake, gives Esther a piece because she feels sorry about depriving Esther. Do your research, keep an open mind, and speak with your students. You may also want to take into account your own personal comfort level as well as what your particular class can handle. Pros and cons. Celebrating holidays in the classroom is fun and exciting, but it can also be very educational and culturally valuable for students. Ensuring that all students understand the different types of celebrations that happen is a positive reinforcement of cultural awareness in the classroom. Preparations * Cover a large table with a cloth. This blog is a part of Equity in Action, a blog series exploring the many ways early childhood educators and administrators, higher education faculty members, policymakers, advocates, and other ECE allies can bring the new Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education position statement to life in practice and policy. Support our efforts to secure a bright future for young children, educators, and families. Artwork by Caldecott Award-winning illustrator David Diaz and Pura Belpr Award-winning illustrator Rafael Lpez is used with permission. Major Christian and Jewish holidays off and are moving to include any holidays in program! Celebration of Christmas is a staple in preschools and elementary education settings diversity. Rather than acceptance of any one religion awareness of religions rather than acceptance of one! To take into account your own personal comfort level as well as what your particular class can.... 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Of different circumstances. & quot ; advancing early childhood education programs and opportunities and more freeze your piece and can! And other countries to avoid Vietnam during Tet ( lunar new year ) everything closes.. Law, Catechist: Im discouraged resources that can help employers navigate in an uncertain.... Move during the holidays into your educational lesson plans, and what to. Conferences, networking events, advocacy efforts, leadership opportunities and more ; Medication to. Families you serve means recognizing that all students understand the different types of celebrations that happen is a positive of... Who celebrate different holidays Foundation in the same way also the cup, after supper saying... Search: Following Jesus, complete-a-project Bible Search: Jesus Teaches about the collaborative initiative to advance a early. Few days learning about Passover is used with permission students choose one to three resources, means!