I was recently intrigued by a former professor who opened a forum to discuss holidays in the classroom- a taboo topic these days. She said:
"So, as Thanksgiving approaches, I wonder about the appropriateness of holidays in the classroom. How do we remain culturally sensitive and include all families? I have been taught that it is best practice to exclude holidays from the center, unless teaching in a faith based program. I still believe that- except when it comes to Thanksgiving and Fourth of July. I think that they are the all American holidays and should be celebrated everywhere as part of a citizenship and morality curriculum. Thoughts?"
She asked for thoughts, so here are mine...Regarding holidays, I think the education community has gone to the politically correct extreme. This is a classic example of throwing the baby out with the bath water.
1. To think that we can completely ignore the celebrations and discussions happening in children’s homes is absolutely absurd. Aren’t we always talking about finding ways to connect home and school; teachers and parents? I often wonder if children find it strange that everywhere they go they see holiday related items,; everywhere except the classroom. Aren’t we supposed to be creating a “natural” environment? Throughout October, children are surrounded by costumes, pumpkins and candy. Yet we are supposed to act as if this change in their world is completely insignificant. It seems very unnatural to me.
2. I have to agree that we should AT LEAST include the nonreligious holidays which simply celebrate being an American, such as Thanksgiving and Fourth of July. We teach the reason behind these holidays in our history classes, so why would we not actually celebrate them? Furthermore, I don’t see any harm in giving thanks for all that we have.
And on the topic of Independence Day, do we not still fly the American flag at schools? Why then would we not acknowledge the day that our nation gained its independence? If people find this holiday offensive, I can’t imagine why they live in this country. This day represents freedom and opportunity, something I assume we ALL want for our children. What I find particularly ironic is that Independence Day marks the establishment of our country, a country founded on the idea of religious freedom, yet we don’t celebrate holidays because they could be offensive to different religions….
3. Why don’t we just celebrate ALL holidays? Just because we partake in another person’s celebrations, doesn’t mean that we are abandoning our own religion nor joining theirs. We encourage children to respect and embrace each other’s differences when it comes to skin color, food preference, and special needs, but holidays are taboo. You know, there was a time when special needs were considered a private matter. It makes me wonder if we are actually moving backward in time… I’ve gotten away from my point, which was- wouldn’t it be nice if we could use holidays as an opportunity for children to learn about different types of customs and traditions? Why can’t we celebrate Halloween AND Dia de los Muertos? By trying to be sooo culturally sensitive, are we actually breeding a generation of narrowminded, uninformed, oblivious, intolerant and culturally insensitive citizens?
4. Lastly, I have to laugh a little when schools say they don’t celebrate holidays. In February children discuss friendship, and in November it’s gratitude. December is “winter celebration,” or something of the sort. Near the end of October, somehow pumpkins make an appearance as part of a nutrition activity or a craft project, as do eggs in April. Sure the words “Valentine’s,” “Thanksgiving,” “Christmas,” “Halloween,” and “Easter,” are never used, but I think we can all read between the lines.
1. To think that we can completely ignore the celebrations and discussions happening in children’s homes is absolutely absurd. Aren’t we always talking about finding ways to connect home and school; teachers and parents? I often wonder if children find it strange that everywhere they go they see holiday related items,; everywhere except the classroom. Aren’t we supposed to be creating a “natural” environment? Throughout October, children are surrounded by costumes, pumpkins and candy. Yet we are supposed to act as if this change in their world is completely insignificant. It seems very unnatural to me.
2. I have to agree that we should AT LEAST include the nonreligious holidays which simply celebrate being an American, such as Thanksgiving and Fourth of July. We teach the reason behind these holidays in our history classes, so why would we not actually celebrate them? Furthermore, I don’t see any harm in giving thanks for all that we have.
And on the topic of Independence Day, do we not still fly the American flag at schools? Why then would we not acknowledge the day that our nation gained its independence? If people find this holiday offensive, I can’t imagine why they live in this country. This day represents freedom and opportunity, something I assume we ALL want for our children. What I find particularly ironic is that Independence Day marks the establishment of our country, a country founded on the idea of religious freedom, yet we don’t celebrate holidays because they could be offensive to different religions….
3. Why don’t we just celebrate ALL holidays? Just because we partake in another person’s celebrations, doesn’t mean that we are abandoning our own religion nor joining theirs. We encourage children to respect and embrace each other’s differences when it comes to skin color, food preference, and special needs, but holidays are taboo. You know, there was a time when special needs were considered a private matter. It makes me wonder if we are actually moving backward in time… I’ve gotten away from my point, which was- wouldn’t it be nice if we could use holidays as an opportunity for children to learn about different types of customs and traditions? Why can’t we celebrate Halloween AND Dia de los Muertos? By trying to be sooo culturally sensitive, are we actually breeding a generation of narrowminded, uninformed, oblivious, intolerant and culturally insensitive citizens?
4. Lastly, I have to laugh a little when schools say they don’t celebrate holidays. In February children discuss friendship, and in November it’s gratitude. December is “winter celebration,” or something of the sort. Near the end of October, somehow pumpkins make an appearance as part of a nutrition activity or a craft project, as do eggs in April. Sure the words “Valentine’s,” “Thanksgiving,” “Christmas,” “Halloween,” and “Easter,” are never used, but I think we can all read between the lines.
