What Do Kids Think About Holidays?

There are a whole bunch of special occasions time of year (at least a dozen between November and January), featuring all kinds of traditions, activities, and celebrations.  Winter holidays are beautifully diverse, and also mean that we’re busy preparing and partying.

In the shuffle, it’s very easy to forget to check in with our little thinkers to get their take on the merriment and festivities. In jumping in with both feet, are we missing an opportunity to develop their thinking skills and get a bird’s eye view of what’s going on in their minds?

Should you find yourself with a few minutes to take on some big holiday questions, here are a handful to try:    

o   Why do we celebrate holidays at all? How do they help us and why are they so important?

o   Can different holidays celebrate the same things, like peace or togetherness?

o   If you could make up your own holiday, or if you could re-imagine something you already celebrate, what would it be like?

o   Do all holidays have to be loud, busy, and fun? Are there some holidays that are quiet or serious?

o   Is it okay to start celebrating a new holiday, or one that other people celebrate?

o   Do we need a special occasion like a holiday to celebrate, or is it something we can do all the time, for little things, or for no reason at all?  

Pausing to think about holidays with our kids not only enriches their experience and understanding of them, but also keeps them growing as thinkers. Beloved traditions might become even more amazing with the input of a little thinker!