The most important thing we teach in Social Studies is to embrace cultural diversity. And the first step in teaching that is the study of family traditions. Students need to become proud of their own family traditions on their way to figuring out their place in the world. Acceptance of other family traditions helps students become better community members.
Who Makes Up a Community?
Young students might not even realize what makes up a family tradition. They don’t have the background knowledge to see the similarities and difference of family customs. Rather than teaching your students about the traditions of a faceless culture, exploring customs of a classmate’s family makes it real.
Families are the Building Blocks
Primary teachers know that when you begin with the child, the learning is authentic. The great news is that your classroom is full of cultural resources. Each family solves basic needs in their own unique way. Helping our students to understand differing traditions makes a richer community for everyone.
Learning about diversity helps students broaden their minds and realize there are many ways to solve the same problem. Comparing and contrasting family customs, family celebrations, and family food traditions promotes the foundation for a strong citizenship.
Family Customs
Needs and wants are covered in Kindergarten and first grade. Talking about the many family customs that make up a culture is beneficial for the whole class. Picking a basic need and having students share what they do in their family helps them become proud of their family and culture.
The ideas for activities are endless:
- During your “All About Me” unit, compare homes. To show your kid homes around the world, visit Dollar Street.
- Compare & contrast weather appropriate clothing. “Does your family like mittens or gloves? Do you like shorts, sweat pants or jeans? Do you like puffy coats or layers?”
- Study bedtime routines. “What kind of bed do you have? Why do we need sleep? Do you read stories at bedtime? Do you wear pajamas? Do you brush your teeth? What time is bedtime?”
Family Celebrations
The holidays celebrated by your family tell a lot about your culture. These rituals help children with their group identity. Kids love learning about holiday celebrations. The more different holiday traditions discussed in your classroom the better. Here again, the ideas for family celebration activities are endless! Here are just a few:
- Share and compare how you celebrate birthdays in your family. ” Do you go out or stay in? Do you have a cake? Who makes it? What do you eat? A great story about culture and birthdays is Big Red Lollipop
- Graph which Holidays are celebrated in your class
- Compare and Contrast traditions tied to holidays in your family: “Do you put up a tree? Do you hang lights? Do you go to church? Do you celebrate New Year’s Eve? A Party or stay home? Snacks? Do you dye eggs at Easter? Egg Hunt? Special dessert? Do you have a Thanksgiving Feast? Your house or travel? Dressing or potatoes? What kind of pie? Do you watch the Thanksgiving parade? Do you play or watch football? Who is your team?
- Highlight a different holiday in your morning meeting slides.
Family Food Traditions
In many families, food is love. Cooking and sharing special meals together are sensory experiences that make memories. These family traditions are the pearls of your culture. Students can share, compare, and contrast their special dishes. Holiday food is a great place to start.
When you discuss food and holidays, you are combining 2 of your students’ favorite things. Just a few ideas:
- Even in the same culture, Thanksgiving feasts vary. “Do you have stuffing or potatoes? Doe you have rolls or corn bread? What kind of pie do you have? Do you like gravy? Do you have cranberries?”
- Focus on how, where and who does the holiday cooking. “Do you cook everything at your house, or do people bring dishes? Do you cook as a family? “
- What Christmas dessert do you have every year? Do you have Christmas recipes from another country?
- Does your family have a holiday that celebrates your culture?
Family Rituals
Rituals are sacred practices that solidify family culture. This special religious or special meaning is what sets them apart from customs. Even though we do not teach rituals, touching on them and teaching the definitions are a must.
Family Culture Resources
Teaching is such a huge job! Just the day-to-day running of the classroom is a full-time job. Add in behavior management, lesson planning, and teacher’s meetings, it can be overwhelming! You have enough on your plate, especially during the holidays. Let me give you a leg up with some done-for-you family tradition resources. Click on one of the covers to check it out.
