If You Don’t Celebrate Holidays…

During the course of my substitute teaching, I’ve encountered situations where some students and their families don’t celebrate specific holidays or occasions that the majority do.  Or they might have holidays that are new to the other students.

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What do parents do?

• Simply bring this to the attention to the teacher, or the principal if it involves a number of classes.
• Ask that your child might do something else during this time.
• Offer to come into class and explain your holiday to the youngsters.  Or provide your child with material to do so.
• Refrain from taking a defensive attitude until you’ve explored the possibilities to share.

I’ve often been left notes by the regular teacher that a particular child doesn’t participate in an event or holiday.  So alternative activities are available for the child at this time in another part of the classroom.

I mention the topic of holidays at this time because some families don’t participate in Halloween and don’t want their children dressing up and attending parties.  Others have no problem if you call it a Harvest Festival.

The Christmas season also presents another time when many families have other types of celebrations.  In our evolving diverse population, we have opportunities to learn about different cultures and to share our customs with them.

How have you handled these situations, either as a parent or a teacher?