There are so many amazing celebrations during the holiday season from around the world. We have been learning all about the traditions of the holiday Hanukkah through reading books, singing songs, and having meaningful discussions during story/circle time. This helps ignite a child's curiosity and provide a base knowledge about a holiday they may already celebrate at home or never knew about. The more we learn and represent all cultures in classrooms and in our homes, the more knowledge and understanding we provide for everyone while making every child feel seen, heard, accepted, and welcomed in their community.
1. Dreidel Action Art
Playing with the dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game. A dreidel is a pointed, four-sided top which can be made to spin on its pointed base. We wanted to take a spin on art, so we invited the children to use dreidels as their "paint brushes", dip them into paint, and make some action-process art happen!
2. STEM Menorah Provocation with Playdough
The Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day holiday where after dinner, the family gathers to light the menorah candles - a new one each night until all 8 are lit. We set up a STEM provocation with playdough where the children looked at a real menorah and were invited to create their own with playdough and candles.
3. Invitation to Decorate Hanukkah Symbols with Loose Parts
We invited the children to decorate wooden Star of Davids and Menorahs with loose parts to freely manipulate the loose parts however they want to creatively design the shapes.
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