Originally published November 2017
Let's chat about the holidays! From Diwali to Eid to Christmas, the whole calendar is packed with amazing celebrations. But why should your child learn about a holiday their family doesn't celebrate? Simple: In 2025, our mission is to raise kids who value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Learning about traditions outside your own is one of the most powerful ways we can help our kids grow up with curiosity, empathy, and respect. It's all about making the world feel a little smaller and a lot friendlier!
Why is Cultural Education Essential in Early Childhood?
Think of it this way: Cultural competence, the ability to understand and appreciate different backgrounds, is now a huge part of learning. We're setting our kids up to thrive in a global world!
We achieve this with the educational principle of the "Mirror and Window" concept:
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Mirrors: Kids need to see their own family's traditions and life reflected in the classroom. This is crucial for their self-esteem and makes them feel like they belong.
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Windows: They also need windows to peer into the lives of others. This is how they realize that their way of celebrating is just one of many wonderful ways to live.
By opening those windows with diverse holidays, we’re training them to be those compassionate global citizens we all want them to be.
What are the Cool Benefits of Learning New Traditions?
It’s not just about being polite! Discussing a variety of holidays offers real, practical boosts to your child’s development:
- Cultivates empathy: When your child understands why a friend celebrates Diwali (the festival of lights), they stop thinking the difference is "weird" and start thinking it's "fascinating." That’s empathy in action!
- Reduces early bias: Kids naturally categorize everything. By showing them many cultures are equally cool, we normalize diversity early on. They learn that different foods, clothes, or customs don't divide us—they enrich us.
- Strengthens vocabulary: They get to learn all kinds of new words! Terms like "observance," "fasting," or the names of cultural items (like a "menorah" or "diya") boost their language skills big-time.
Consider taking your child to some of the local holiday celebrations such as the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, a Christmas Eve Service at a church or the daily menorah lighting at Union Square.
Explaining Holidays to Preschoolers Through Books
Grownups can reinforce explaining holidays to preschoolers by reading multicultural holiday books. One benefit of reading holiday books to your children is that you will have the opportunity to explain your own beliefs and traditions and answer your child's questions. Better yet, you can learn along with your children if you don't know much about the holiday either. Here are some good books to start with:
- Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Eric A. Kimmel) is a creative adaptation of the story of the symbols and traditions of the Jewish holiday which adds an exciting twist while keeping the original spirit of the story.
- My First Kwanzaa (Deborah Chocolate) explains the traditions of the holiday by showing how a family celebrates their African heritage together with food, candles and extended family.
- Christmas Around the World (Mary Lankford) includes illustrations and short descriptions of how 12 different cultures celebrate Christmas differently.
- Bringing in the New Year (Grace Lin) follows the preparations of a Chinese American family as they get ready for the Chinese New Year.
- Diwali, A Cultural Adventure (Sana Sood) introduces the Hindu holiday with rhymes, colorful pictures and simple language.
Read more: 3 activities for celebrating multi-cultural holidays
Key Takeaway for Grownups
When your child comes home talking about a holiday you don't celebrate, lean into their curiosity! Try asking them: "What was the feeling of the celebration? What did you learn that was similar to how our family celebrates?"
Preschool is where we plant the seeds of becoming great, well-rounded people. By embracing and sharing holidays from every corner of the world, we're giving our children the empathy and cultural literacy they need to thrive in the complex, beautiful world of 2025 and beyond.
Want to find out more about our inclusive curriculum? Contact Kids Konnect anytime.