Matching Holidays and Traditions
Here's What To Do
Lay out the holiday symbols and say, “Let’s talk about the fun holidays families celebrate! Each picture shows something families use or do during holidays. Let’s look at them together and see which ones remind you of our holidays.”
Help your child sort the pictures into two piles: “Our Holidays” and “Other Families’ Holidays.” As you sort, ask, “What do we do with this? Do you think other families might use it in a similar or different way?”
Take two cards, one from each pile, and find something they have in common. For example, “This is a candle for our holiday, and this is a candle other families might use. What do you think candles are for?”
Repeat with a few more cards.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Have your child help you cut out the pictures. Give them a high five for helping and say thank you.
Engage:
- “Why do you think families celebrate different holidays?”
- “What do you think they love most about their traditions?”
Encourage:
- “I like how you are finding things that are the same between our family celebrations and those of others, keep going!”
- “It’s okay to make guesses or ask questions. You’re learning, and that’s what’s important!”
Reflect:
- “What was your favorite thing we talked about today?”
Not quite ready?
Focus on just one holiday. Say, “Let’s look at this holiday and see if it reminds you of what we do in our family.”
Ready for more?
Research a new holiday together. Look at books or short videos and add more pictures or symbols to your game. Say, “Let’s learn about a holiday we’ve never celebrated before!”
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to talk about different holidays and traditions.