IA parents would you celebrate cultural holidays at your child's school?

Question

I know a few IA mom's that educate others at school by celebrating the Chinese New Year. These moms make it sound so fun and exciting that kids flock to learn more about her adopted children's culture.

What do you think? Do you do this? Would you do this? Its all new to me. thanks.

Answer 1

It all depends.

My son's preschool did a program throughout the year where they 'travelled' to different countries for two weeks. They did in depth studies about all kinds of places, and they tried to do the countries of every child's heritage. In that situation, I had no problem with lugging in boxes of stuff - videos, clothing, art activities. I made language worksheets for them. I even made them an authentic meal. All the other mothers did it too, for whatever ethnicity or culture they were from.

But my daughter's first grade teacher got a big fat "no" from me. The way she presented her request to me, it seemed like my daughter and her first family were going to be showed off like some special exhibit from the zoo or something. Not a chance would I help with that.

Answer 2

I agree with what wynner said. I have said no (not at school but at church), when I felt like my son was almost being exhibited.

On the other hand, my kids school has a lot of diversity and does lots of different cultural celebrations. So it's not out of place to celebrate Ethiopian New Year in Sept, or to introduce the concept of Timkat (Ethiopian Festical of Christmas) when the kids are learning about Christmas around the world, as well as Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, etc, etc. The kids love it too!

(My Ethiopian son is only 3 but we done this in his older siblings classrooms, since they travelled to Africa with us and feel its a part of the family they want to share it too!)