How to Turn Tough Times Into Fun Times, A Daycare Guide:
Planning for Holidays &
Teachers and caregivers often spend vast amounts of time
preparing for special occasions, particularly for holiday
celebrations. In fact, preparation for some holidays consumes so
much teacher time that the children and their program are
neglected, perhaps for as long as two or three weeks. This is
not an acceptable practice.
Young children do not need -- or expect -- elaborate
celebrations. Two- and even three-year-olds will have very
little if any understanding of the meaning of most holidays or
other special occasions. They have little if any knowledge of
the customary or traditional activities associated with these
occasions. Older preschoolers may remember some features of
school or family observances from previous years, but their
enjoyment of a celebration is not based on elaborate adult
preparations.
The aspects of special occasions that children find meaningful
are those activities that they themselves can participate in
directly and fully. Children do need--and have every right to
expect--fun, self-paced, child-centered activities every day,
including special occasions and celebrations.
To make special occasions enjoyable for children,
1. keep celebrations simple and short;
2. plan child-centered, child-paced activities;
3. keep preparations simple;
4. begin preparations no earlier than one or two days before the
event or holiday;
5. involve children in every aspect of preparations;
6. keep the agenda flexible.
New or unusual situations, unknown people, a larger number of
people than a child is accustomed to, or new requirements even
in a familiar place are all stressful for young children. The
most successful events are those that include many familiar
features.