Sharing the Holidays from

Classroom to Home

"When you enroll a child, you actually enroll a family"

 

Holidays create wonderful opportunities to build connections with your families. They give teachers the chance to explore different family customs and learn about family values.

 

Activity: FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITIONS IN THE CLASSROOM

 

Holiday celebrations are diverse. Sharing different traditions can be challenging. However, they open children's eyes to all the ways families can look and celebrate. This link gives some tips on how to do this with respect.

 

Read more: CHILDREN'S BOOKS ABOUT HOLIDAYS

 

Connecting with children and their holiday traditions strengthens our bonds with their families. It also reinforces the important role teachers play in helping children see the world outside of themselves.

 

**Don't forget yourself this holiday season! Self-care and your personal connections are important too!**

 

Sharing Family Traditions at School 

 

Do you ever wonder how your child's teacher decides which holidays will be celebrated in the classroom or why they choose not to include holiday celebrations at all? Planning a classroom celebration is an opportunity for teachers and families to work together to create learning experiences for children.

 

Experiencing different holiday celebrations allows your child to:

  • Learn more about their own family history and share with their classmates
  • Build respect for other people and cultures

 

 

If your family does not celebrate holidays and the teacher includes holiday celebrations, initiate conversations about how your family's choices will be honored and respected and work with the teacher to plan alternatives for your child. 

 

Source:
WAKE Up and Read

 

 

Readers' Corner

 

This book was provided as a special recommendation from WCSS's Debi Bartholomew, as she transisitons roles from NC Pre-K Manager to the new position of Program Specialist, Early Literacy. We asked Debi, "What's your favorite children's book?" This was her response!

 

Featured Book: The Paper Bag Princess

Written by Robert Munsch, Illustrated by Michael Martchenko
 

Highlights: This classic fairytale reverses the roles of Prince Charming and the "damsel in distress" in a humorous twist. The princess rescues her prince from a dragon, leaving neither she nor the prince sure about their next move.

 

Best for: Pre-K - Grade 2

Click here for the complete teaching plan.

 

Check out this book from the Wake County Public Library today!

 

 

       

     

Wake County SmartStart 

(919) 851-9550

 

Email: eweichel@wakesmartstart.org
Website: wakesmartstart.org

To Manage Your Email Subscriptions Please Click Here.

 

 

Building Blocks

A newsletter about early childhood in Wake County

 

 

Each month we celebrate the child care facilities that have recently obtained or retained a five star rating!

 

Congratulations to:

 

Snack Time

Potato Pancakes

 

 

Potato pancakes are an easy and delicious snack children can help make. They can also be a way to explore different cultural holiday traditions at home or in the classroom. Click here for the recipe.

 

Check out more recipes on our Pinterest Boards.

 

 

Training

 

Visit CCSA's training calendar for all upcoming events. 

 

Beyond Bandaids

January 11, 6:30 - 8pm 

CCSA Durham

To register, click here.

 

Creating a Professional Development Plan

January 11, 6:30 - 8:30pm

CCSA Chapel Hill

To register, click here. 

 

 

ITS SIDS

January 11, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Heather Park Child Development Center

To register, click here.

 

 

 

 

Snowman Slam 

 

Turn your socks into snowballs, then take turns tossing them at your snowman cups! This is a winter twist on a classic carnival game.

 

 

To see what you need for your own Snowman Slam, click here.