by Tammy Frost

Created on: November 19, 2009   Last Updated: November 21, 2009

How to teach holiday traditions in the classroom with a focus on international diversity?

Many of you may have needed to re-read the above phrase to comprehend the term: International diversity. What is international diversity and why should teachers be aware of such topic?

International diversity is considered by many, the act of appreciating and recognizing that people are different in many ways and they have many different beliefs, religions, locations and characteristics. Many schools have multi-cultured students and need to recognize that not all people celebrate holidays in the same way. Even in the United States schools, we have different attendees that have different religious beliefs and many of them and their families don't believe in the traditional holidays. Major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Halloween should have some guidelines when it comes teaching and celebrating in Schools.

As fun as it may be for many to celebrate with decorative lights, pumpkins, songs and festivities, teachers need to keep in mind of all the students who may not know of these traditions. Their parents may not allow them to participate in traditional holiday parties and gatherings. Teachers need to educate themselves in the following ways to be able to teach holiday traditions and still focus on international diversity.

Do research on different cultural beliefs. Find out how other countries originally celebrates their holidays. Include a different holiday in your celebrations. Teach American children about different holidays that some of their peers may have celebrated before in their country.

Make sure before you celebrate a holiday, you get permission slips from all parents. If a child is unable to celebrate or participate in that school event, ask the child's parents if they can keep the child home that day. Another solution would be to arrange another activity for the child located in a different class room while others are celebrating. This way, the child doesn't have to be present when there is a holiday party. Try to keep the excitement in the group of kids that will be attending the party.

It isn't fair to see a child in a classroom become excited about the sight of the party accessories and then have to be taken out of the room when the fun begins. Many children tend to get their feelings hurt easily. Any way of avoiding this situation is highly recommended. Keep the party snacks, balloons, gifts, and holiday party supplies out of sight until the party or celebration begins.

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