Embracing Diversity in Early Childhood: A Valentine’s Day Celebration of New Beginnings

In the heart of February 2024, a unique convergence of traditions unfolds, weaving together threads of love, renewal, and cultural heritage. Today as we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday, and the 5th day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon, this beautiful tapestry of traditions offers an invaluable opportunity for early childhood practitioners to foster a spirit of inclusivity and an appreciation for diversity within their classrooms.

In the embrace of diversity, we find beauty in the kaleidoscope of celebrations that enrich our lives. St. Valentine’s Day, a day of love and affection, transcends borders, inviting us to cherish the connections that bind us together. It’s a reminder to extend kindness and compassion to all, regardless of backgrounds or beliefs. Let our early childhood classrooms be learning environments where every child feels valued and loved, where gestures of friendship and empathy blossom like the first buds of spring that the lunar new year celebrates. Encourage children to create cards and messages of appreciation for friends, family, and even their favorite classroom objects. Discuss different forms of love and affection, fostering empathy and inclusivity.

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Ash Wednesday marks for Christians the beginning of Lent, a period of reflection and renewal. As ashes are placed upon foreheads, symbolizing mortality and repentance, it serves as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity. Engage the young children to create art with ashes, using them to represent letting go of negative thoughts or habits and embracing positive change. Let us also teach our young ones the importance of introspection and forgiveness, nurturing their understanding of diverse spiritual practices and encouraging respect for each other’s beliefs.

Meanwhile, the Lunar New Year of the Dragon heralds new beginnings, coinciding with the arrival of spring in many parts of the world. The Dragon in the Lunar New Year embodies strength, the power of resilience, and the potential for transformation. Just as the dragon soars through the skies, let us empower our children to dream big, embrace their uniqueness, and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our global community. Use storytelling and creative activities to explore these themes with children. Let them draw dragons, act out dragon-inspired stories, or even create dragon puppets, encouraging them to embrace their own inner strength and potential for growth. Have them plant seeds, observe budding flowers, and celebrate the hope and joy of new life.

In celebrating these diverse traditions, we pave the way for a more inclusive future. Inclusivity is not just about tolerating differences; it’s about actively celebrating them. By using this unique convergence of celebrations as a springboard, early childhood practitioners can create a learning environment that embraces diversity, fosters a sense of belonging, and empowers each child to blossom into their unique and wonderful selves. May each child be seen, heard, and valued. Let us embrace our role as catalysts for change, nurturing empathy and understanding. May we find joy in the richness of our differences and strength in our shared humanity.

Happy celebrating!

 

Valentine’s Day 2022 – loving ourselves first!

Today is Valentine’s Day! A day to celebrate with loved ones; a day to remember family and friends no longer with us; and most importantly perhaps a day to set aside time for ourselves. Being the Monday before our free monthly SGC-Whytehouse Early Childhood, it is also the day that I go on social media to remind everyone of our upcoming lecture by Dr Justine O’Hara-Gregan of University of Auckland. Her lecture this Saturday 19 February 2022 at 10am MYT focuses on practices for promoting teacher wellbeing – a topic that is most related to Valentine’s Day and self-love!

Research tells us that loving oneself, among others, paves the way to a positive mindset, an essential ingredient for success in life. Self-love is liberating and uplifting. It builds resilience to face adversities in life. It helps us develop healthier relationships.

According to The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, self-love is “a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth.” It covers:

• prioritizing ourselves & taking care of our own needs
• not sacrificing our wellbeing to please others
• not settling for less than what we deserve
• trusting ourselves; forgiving ourselves, accepting ourselves

Self-love is not a luxury, but a necessity. It is a choice that we make on how we view and treat ourselves. And we can clearly see the importance of self-love and wellbeing for early childhood professionals who engage with young children in their formative years when the foundation is laid for their sense of self and social wellbeing. In a profession that gives all the time, self-love and self-care can strengthen our mental wellbeing and help manage our stress. Our wellbeing affects others, especially those under our care.

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We can trawl through the web for the multitude of ideas on cultivating the habit of self-love : be it the practice of mindfulness and self care, listening to ourselves, journaling or yoga. Or why not join us on 19 February when Dr Justine O-Hara Gregan takes us on an interactive session on wellbeing practices for the early childhood community. Do you not agree that we need a break? That we need to recharge? Only then can we thrive! Register for our lecture at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/practices-for-promoting-teacher-wellbeing-tickets-251825646287

American historian, columnist, novelist, poet, artist, and editor -Aberjhani once wrote ” “Dare to love yourself as if you were a rainbow with gold at both ends.” So, this Valentine’s Day, take the bold step and love ourselves. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com