There are many different opinions on whether or not to celebrate holidays in the Montessori classroom. Some schools choose not to celebrate anything except the birthdays of their students. Whether we choose to celebrate holidays in the classroom or not, they still exist in the world. In my nearly 30 years of teaching, I have always celebrated holidays with the children in my classrooms and at our little yellow school. The holidays we have celebrated are inclusive of the cultures and religions of the children and families in our school community.
At our little yellow school, the celebration of a holiday is not highlighted on one day with no connection to anything else. Rather, activities are introduced gradually across the curriculum in the weeks leading up to the celebration. The following are some examples.
The Practical Life shelves reflect the colours and theme of the celebration.
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| Valentine Tonging Work |
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| Lunar New Year Tonging with Chopsticks |
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| Spooning Pumpkin Seed 'Ghosts" |
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| Opening Easter Eggs with Surprises! |
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| Preparing Pumpkin Seeds for Roasting |
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| Peg Christmas Tree |
The Language Shelves and Circle Time incorporate stories, poems and songs.
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| Melting Like a Menorah Candle |
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| A Halloween Rhyme |
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| Learning About Diwali |
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| A Valentine Book |
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| Playing Tombola (An Italian Christmas Eve Tradition) |
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| Spinning a Dreidel |
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| Decorating the Christmas Tree |
Arithmetic activities incorporate seasonal items such as seasonal counters.
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| Halloween Ghost Counters |
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| Valentine Heart Estimating Activity |
Art activities change to reflect the holiday.
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| Valentine Hearts |
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| Lunar New Year Tigers |
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| Reindeer Craft |
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| Diwali Lamps |
The
Culture Shelves have items and photos associated with the holiday.
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| Lunar New Year Items |
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| Hanukkah Items |
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| A Visit from Santa Claus |
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| A Visit from St. Nicholas on December 6 (Treats left in our shoes!) |
The loveliest thing about introducing holidays and celebrations gradually is that it does not interfere with classroom routines. Children thrive on the routine and the predictability of their school days. By incorporating the holiday into the classroom routine, the children are able to learn about the holiday at their own pace while expanding their minds, their worlds, but most of all their hearts.
"As different as we are from one another, as unique as each one of us is, we are much more the same than we are different. That may be the most essential message of all, as we help our children grow toward being caring, compassionate, and charitable adults."
~ Mr. Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers Neighborhood)
