13 Dec Teaching Holiday Diversity to Kids

From lighting the menorah to assembling the Kwanzaa display to putting presents under a Christmas tree, there are many different traditions families around the world celebrate this holiday season. Celebrate cultures worldwide by teaching your children the importance of holiday diversity! Celebrating inclusion in your home is key to helping your child develop a positive sense of identity, increased self awareness, and gain new experiences.

Meadow Montessori celebrates Holidays Around the World in December. During this time, we encourage families and children to share their unique holiday traditions. From trying new foods to playing festive games, this time of year helps our children increase their global awareness. Below are some recommendations to help your child learn about different cultures respectfully and educationally.

Are you interested in Montessori education for your children? Contact Meadow Montessori in Richmond, TX, today and schedule a tour!

Family, Respect, Traditions, & Love

While there are many different cultures and traditions worldwide, many of them focus on similar principles including: family, respect, traditions, and love. Educating children on the importance of holiday diversity helps them learn about others and their culture, as well as all of the similarities we share.

Sharing unique traditions within our community increases our children’s self-awareness, sense of belonging, and self esteem! Children may bond through sharing the same holiday traditions as well as comparing the differences with open hearts and open minds.

Learn About the Holidays Yourself

One of the best ways to encourage children to learn about the different holidays and traditions is to know them yourself. Celebrating diversity in your home or classroom is a fun, educational, and beneficial way for families, teachers, and children to learn about one another and inspire connection. It is important to respect these cultures and holiday traditions in a non-judgemental, accepting way.

In Montessori education, we advocate for peace in the world. Promoting diversity encourages our children to accept, respect, and learn about one another and their traditions from all over the world. The Montessori way is instilling peace and courtesy every day, whether in the classroom or at home.

Visit Cultural Centers & Museums

Celebrating diversity during the holidays is a fantastic way of teaching children of all ages about the world around them. Expanding their worldview can be done through visiting local cultural centers and museums. Not only do these locations educate on cultural traditions, but they also offer a means of connecting with others.

Meadow Montessori encourages connection within the community and excellent education for your children. Contact us to learn more about the Montessori way.

Books We Recommend

Children’s books are a fantastic way of learning about different cultures and their traditions. Increasing awareness and appreciation of cultures are just some of the benefits your children will receive from these books. Don’t hesitate to pick up these books from your public library or purchase them from a bookstore this holiday season. Here are a few books Meadow Montessori recommends:

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto

This fun story has a valuable lesson that incorporates teamwork, family, and Mexican American culture.

Celebrations Around the World by Katy Halford

This book exposes children to different cultures, traditions, and festivals around the world.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford

This children’s book explains the principles of Kwanzaa and information about the holiday.

Celebrate Holiday Diversity Year Round

December is filled with many holidays worldwide like Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, and many more. While the winter holidays offer many opportunities for children to learn about different cultures and their traditions, there are also opportunities year-round to encourage learning diversity.

Meadow Montessori recommends highlighting a different culture and learning their traditions at least once a month. Learning about Ramadan in April, Yom Kippur in September, or Diwali in November gives your children the opportunity to understand and respect different cultures and provide understanding during these important holidays that aren’t widely celebrated. Giving your children a cultural appreciation helps them grow into more independent, knowledgeable, and empathetic adults.

Cultivating a Respectful & Understanding Household

In this article, Meadow Montessori explored the many ways to teach children diversity this holiday season. We love to celebrate and learn about the unique cultures and holiday traditions of our community! Teaching our children holiday diversity encourages self esteem and self-awareness.

Are you interested in Montessori education for your children? Contact Meadow Montessori in Richmond, TX, today and schedule a tour!