Definition of Holiday Activities

It is important to define holiday activities because the words “holiday” and celebration” mean different things to different people. For purposes of this holiday policy and to define our holiday practices in the classroom, we define “holiday activities” in the following way. Holiday activities can be as simple as reading a book about a holiday and as elaborate and involved as having a party in the classroom with food, decorations, guests, and music. Activities often involve a group discussion about a holiday and how a family celebrates it, or the reading of a book about a holiday. Other times teachers set up open-ended, developmentally appropriate activities for children that relate to a holiday. We also have occasional parties to celebrate a holiday.

Goals and Functions of Holidays

1. To validate children’s and families holiday experiences and traditions at home.
2. To expose children to different ways of celebrating the same holiday.
3. To expose children to celebrations, traditions, and religions different from their own.
4. To foster respect for celebrations, traditions, and religions different from their own.
5. To provide fun and a break in the routine.
6. To mark time for children.
7. To build a sense of community, family, and togetherness.
8. To provide accurate information about holidays in a developmentally appropriate manner.
9. To encourage critical thinking about bias and unfairness.
10. To provide a stress-free environment.

Role of Holidays in the Program

Since we plan curriculum on an emergent basis in a way that is reflective of children’s needs and interests, the exact amount of time we spend on holidays will vary. We use children and families in the program as a “barometer” to help us decide how much we will do with holidays. We do have some guidelines, however, to make sure that holidays do not take over the entire curriculum. With regard to parties or actual celebrating, we will limit holiday parties to three or four per year. When we are “recognizing” a holiday (i.e. having a discussion or reading a book) or providing activities related to a holiday, we might include up to five holidays per month. For example, on the Friday before Memorial Day, we may talk about the fact that the center is closed on the following Monday and explain why, in two or three sentences. When we are talking with children about the day, we may talk about holidays that just occurred or that are imminently approaching. These recognitions of holidays, however, are no more than a two-minute discussion about what the holiday is called and what it is all about, unless children ask to know more. Similarly, when we provide activities, they will be open-ended and one of many choices so they are not the focus of the entire curriculum.

How Decisions Will Be Made About Which Holidays to Include

Individual decisions about which holidays will be included will be made every year and at other times of the years when children and families leave or enter the program.

1. Teachers will use a variety of methods to determine which holidays are important to the children and families in their group. These will include a questionnaire and daily communication.
2. Teachers will then make a list of any additional holidays they think are important to include. These include holidays they have incorporated in the past, social justice holidays, holidays that are celebrated by the staff, and holidays that support overall classroom goals. In order to provide opportunities for teachers to help children correct wrong impressions, teachers may also discuss holidays that have traditionally reinforced stereotypes or misinformation.
3. Next, teachers will look at holidays with which the children may be unfamiliar. Before deciding to include any of these holidays, teachers will make sure they can introduce them in a relevant, respectful way that connects to children’s own experiences.
4. Teachers will make sure that all the chosen holidays meet at least one of the stated goals for holidays and that none of these will offend or hurt any child or family.

How Holidays Will Be Implemented in the Curriculum

Below is a list of general guidelines we follow as we implement holidays:

1. We are inclusive. We strive to validate everyone and exclude no one. We pay attention to the balance and the importance we put on certain holidays over others. No one holiday is portrayed as more important than any other.
2. We concentrate on reflecting a holiday in a way that is important and relevant to families at home. We work to be culturally relevant in all of our activities.
3. We involve parents/guardians as much as possible in the implementation of holiday activities and celebrations. We also keep families informed of upcoming holiday activities and events. We are careful to avoid stereotypes when presenting holiday information to children, putting up decorations, and implementing activities.
4. We provide activities that are developmentally appropriate for the ages and stages of the children.

How Religious Aspects of Holiday Will Be Approached

Teachers will not teach the religious aspects of a holiday or teach one religion or religious holiday as the correct one. We will explain, in a developmentally appropriate way, what the historical meaning of that holiday is if children ask us directly for that information. Religious aspects will be explained in a matter-of-fact way, with simple language. Families will be consulted for the actual language they use when talking about religious holidays to their children. Children will also be referred back to their families for more explanation and in-depth information about religious aspects of holidays. Aside from providing answers for children’s direct questions about the religious aspects of holidays, teachers in general will avoid talking about religion without sacrificing the underlying meaning of a holiday. For example, we will explain that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing and Valentine’s Day is a day of friendship and caring.

Plan for Working with Children and Families Who Don’t Celebrate Holidays

We will not celebrate any individual holiday that excludes one or more children. If we have children in the program who do not celebrate any holidays we will work with the families to come up with a plan for meeting their children’s needs so they are not left out.

How We Will Evaluate the Effectiveness of Holiday Activities

We will be constantly reflective of holiday activities we have done in the past and how we might handle holidays in the future. When families join our school, we will survey them about their family background and culture, home language, and religious practices.

Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool, North Carolina, USA