Celebrations are a fun and important way for children, families and educators to actively learn about each other, to share and to honour the rich diversity of the families within our services and to celebrate our similarities.
The celebrations shared at your child’s kindergarten, long day care or family day care centre will look different to those at other centres because they will reflect your unique and diverse community. These meaningful celebrations should support connections with families and involve children.
The Victorian Framework acknowledges that the families and communities in which children live are diverse and children’s learning and development is enhanced when early childhood professionals respect their cultures and ways of knowing and being. (Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework for all children from Birth to Eight Years, p.7) (VEYLDF)
Karin Port, an educator from Caulfield Primary Early Childhood Centre, identifies the importance of knowing the unique backgrounds of the families she works with. She uses the FKA days of significance calendar to know when to approach parents about how they are celebrating at home, and how she can link it in with her program.
One kindergarten group explored the Hindu Holi festival of colours as an extension of a child and their family’s celebration. The father spent time with the group talking with children about this occasion and its meaning. They explored colours within their program and throughout the year children were remembering and discussing their experiences. Photos were also included in children’s portfolios. Other services have explored the similarities of festivals and the way they also use colour and light such as during the fireworks on New Year’s Eve and in colourful floats at Moomba.
Nikhil, from Caulfield Primary Early Childhood Centre (pictured below), shared his family’s experiences of the Ganesh Festival honouring the birthday (rebirth) of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of Hindu’s. Nikhil proudly brought in photos of the festival and with the help of his father, spoke to the group about the special foods, statue of Lord Ganesha, the candle and bell which is placed on the table in order to call Lord Ganesha. The photos were then included in Nikhil’s portfolio, as a link between his learning at kindergarten and family celebrations.
Families are encouraged to speak to their child’s educators about how their special celebrations can be incorporated into the early learning program.