As the leaves fall, the temperature drops and the animals start to prepare for a long winters nap, LCCC is far from hibernation mode. This month proved to be jam-packed with holidays celebrated from many cultures, fun-filled activities and many teachable moments, we continue to be impressed and excited to see how our education team extends these experiences into the framework of their program.
This month our educators incorporated many holidays and events that the children in our care were excitedly discussing including Thanksgiving, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali and Halloween. Though not every event is celebrated by every child, it's still critically important for each individual child to see their special holiday represented in our centre as we strive to create an environment that allows for children to feel safe, acknowledged and welcomed.
Thanksgiving & Rosh Hashanah
To celebrate Thanksgiving (October 14) our classrooms created tissue paper turkeys and had discussions about about they are grateful for in their lives. And to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (October 2-4), educators read picture books to explain the significance of this holiday and what it means in the Jewish culture.
Diwali
A few weeks later, our classrooms shifted gears and began to discover the meaning of Diwali (October 31-November 1). Our educators again read picture books to the children in their care to ignite critical thinking for what Diwali signifies in the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh cultures and how we can represent it in our centre. Through this, the children figured that creating fireworks and diya's (small lamps) would be a good way to celebrate what is known as "the festival of lights".
Halloween
Finally to end the month, LCCC celebrated Halloween at the centre with a special dress up day (October 31) and a much anticipated costume parade around the outside of the centre and through Seventh Street School. Parents excitedly filled the halls and the sidewalks to see the children walking proudly in their costume of choice.
We will continue to represent celebrations and holidays from all around the world, as it's of a way bringing each child's culture and tradition into our centre. Given that it is a place where many children (and their families!) spend a lot of time for several years, we want to ensure that it feels like them. Early Learning For Every Child Today is Ontario's framework for childcare settings. In this document, there is some amazing dialog that not only encourages the teachings of diversity and inclusion, but explains just how vital it is to the development of young children:
"To include everyone, early childhood settings must encourage healthy dialogue about the principles and shared beliefs that relate to inclusion, diversity and equity. They must recognize every child as a citizen with equal rights and unique views about how to participate in the world. Demonstration of respect for diversity, equity and inclusion are prerequisites for optimal development and learning."
-Excerpts from “ELECT”, 2014
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