Reframing Holidays
A group of researchers observed children in a preschool setting. Through
a period of time they were able to observe feelings and emotions that
children go through during their school year. It allowed them to make a
list of themes that could be translated into outgoing activities that
would benefit children’s emotional and cognitive growth. Early childhood
education developers were able to Reframe Holidays and recommended the
following monthly themes for preschools. Their main idea was to discuss
the subjects that were more present to children than just teacher’s
directed activities. What the study revealed is that it is advantageous
to use our holidays as a teaching tool to learn about ourselves.
Although each holiday has its own symbols (snowflakes, flowers, turkey,
pumpkins, Etc.), it also gives us opportunities to discuss our feelings
and family traditions. For example: on Halloween we can talk about our
fears and about reality and fantasy. BunnyBears Preschool supports
Reframing Holidays and through developmentally appropriate practices,
will be discussing the following subjects with children:
September
• Separation
• Myself. My Family. Pets. Home
October
• Making a Friend.
• Mastering Fear.
• Fantasy/Reality
November
• Group life: conflict resolution
• Our community
• Extended safety and trust
• Family Traditions
December
• Family Traditions
• School Traditions
January
• Autonomy
• Power (excitement, play is reflected)
February
• Feelings: identifying, expressing, accepting
• Reassess, developmental progress
March
• Our bodies, senses
• Social dynamics: negotiating, initiating
April
• Birth and Growth
• Ecology, our connections with nature
May
• Reflection on individual and Group growth
• Moving on: feeling little, feeling big
June
• Transitions: how I’ve grown, my next step
July/August
• Myself, my Family, My Friends. Summer themes, water play.
We will be observing our children and will be following their present interests, investigations and theories. That will always stay the guideline for our curriculum.
“When children and not “teaching children” becomes the focus,
real learning happens” – Roleen Heimann