Family
Activities
Promoting Diversity Awareness by Exploring Various Holiday Celebrations
"Doing" is perhaps the most effective way to transmit
attitudes and values to our children. One way to demonstrate an
appreciation for the diversity of life is to participate in activities
that expose our children to various cultural groups. Parents and
children can participate in what some local libraries call, "Passport
to (a specific country each month)," or explore various cultural
traditions together at their local library.
Activity: Look up a few of these cultural celebrations:
| Culture/Country |
Celebration |
Origin/Purpose |
Season |
| Japan |
Chado – The Way of Tea |
Founder’s Day |
New Year |
| Israel/Jewish |
Hanukkah |
Miracle of the return of light to the temple |
Winter Solstice |
African-
American |
Kwanzaa |
First Fruits |
Winter Solstice |
| India |
Diwali |
Hindu Religion |
New Year
(October) |
Learning about these traditional celebrations can be a fun way
to promote respect and acceptance of other cultures. Children will
learn that people around the world celebrate the New Year in many
different ways. For instance, in Spain when the clock strikes 12
(midnight) people eat twelve grapes (one for each stroke to represent
each month of the year). Each grape is to bring good luck into the
New Year. In Belgium, farmers wish their animals a Happy New Year
for blessings. In Northern Portugal, children go caroling from door
to door. They receive treats and coins for their caroling!
CHU SHEN TAN, BONNE ANNEE, PROSIT NEUJAR, HAUOLI MAKAHIKI HOU,
BLIAIN NUA FE MHAISE DHUIT, FELIZ AÑO NUEVO, CHUC MUNG TAN
NIEN, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. (Identify the Origin of Each Greeting)
For winter fun make bread from some other country. Here is an
idea to get you started.
Scotland - Sweet Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup currants or raisins
1. Preheat to 400°F. Grease cookie sheet.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt into a large mixing
bowl. Grate the butter or margarine into the bowl with a cheese
grater and mix well with a fork.
3. Add the milk and the raisins. Stir with a wooden spoon.
4. Dust hands with flour then form dough into a ball. If it is
too dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk. If it is too wet, add one tablespoon
of flour.
5. Sprinkle counter surface with flour. Roll out dough to about
1/4-inch thick with a rolling pin. Using a round cookie cutter or
open end of a glass, cut scones into circles. Place on the cookie
sheet.
6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they turn tan. Remove from
the oven with pot-holders. Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve.
Makes 1 dozen scones.
NUTRITION FACTS (per serving) - Calories 120 ~ fat 3.5 g ~ calories
from fat 30 ~ sodium 120 mg ~ total carbohydrate 19 g .
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