Sharing Traditions

Teaching children to appreciate differences is an important task – all children feel more welcome in the classroom when it reflects their cultures and traditions. Sharing your culture with the students will not only please your child, but will benefit all of the children. Imagine how much richer the learning experience can be when people share stories, music, and experiences from different cultures.

If you are willing and able, I would love to encourage you to come share what is important to your family. It doesn’t have to be about a specific holiday, although that is often a great opportunity. Talk to the children, share photos, children’s books, and/or food. In the past, I’ve had parents come and make everything from latkes to pepparkakor, bird feeders to printed sweatshirts, Chinese lanterns to Japanese calligraphy and origami. We've learned the dreidel game, swedish folk dances, and a marble game from Korea. It doesn’t have to be fancy or “professional”…sometimes just reading a story is lovely and very appreciated.

Here is a list of things you may wish to bring to the classroom:

• Copies of family recipes
• Family photos and photo albums

• Audio tapes of your child's family members reading stories or telling tales

• Books that reflect your child's background and culture 

• Music that reflects your child's culture 


Please let me know if and when you would like to join the classroom. Fridays are often great days, since we don't have to work around specials - but I am certainly willing to accommodate whatever works best for you. Thank you!