Let's Celebrate Together
At EarlyON, we believe that every child and family bring something special to our community. One of the most meaningful ways we nurture connection and belonging is by celebrating the many cultures, traditions, and holidays that make up our diverse families. As stated in How Does Learning Happen “Children’s sense of belonging and feelings of security are also strengthened when they have opportunities to make and explore connections between home and the early childhood program”.
Throughout the year, our program recognizes a wide variety of cultural and seasonal celebrations. From Nowruz, Diwali and Lunar New Year to Ramadan, Eid, Christmas, and more, these moments give children the opportunity to explore the world around them in a joyful and inclusive environment. Through stories, music, crafts, and shared experiences, children begin to understand and appreciate both their own identities and those of others.
Celebrating different cultures in early childhood is about more than just special celebrations; it’s about building respect, curiosity, and empathy. When children see their own traditions reflected in the program, it fosters a sense of pride and belonging. At the same time, learning about other cultures helps them develop openness and appreciation for diversity from a young age.
Our program facilitators work closely with families to ensure that celebrations are authentic and meaningful. We invite and welcome all families and caregivers to share their traditions, whether it’s through a favourite song, a traditional book, an activity or experience. These contributions enrich our program and create memorable learning experiences for everyone. For example, during the Persian New Year celebration (Nowruz) families brought in many items and books to teach about their traditions. In addition, we learned about Chaharshanbeh (fire Wednesday), which is jumping over a bonfire to signify casting off the past year’s hardships and welcoming light and health of the new year ahead. A small child sized plastic firepit was brought in and the families explained it to the group at circle time while all the children were given the opportunity to jump over the fire.
At EarlyON, every celebration is an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together. By embracing all cultures and holidays, we are helping to build a community where every child feels seen, valued, and included.
References
Ontario Ministry of Education. How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2014. https://files.ontario.ca/edu-how-does-learning-happen-en-2021-03-23.pdf.
Written by: Amy Rathwell EarlyON Facilitator
