Will your kids be learning about the Chinese New Year at home or at school?

This year the Chinese New Year will be February 14, 2010.  It is the year of the Tiger!

Teaching children about other cultures and traditions is very important.  Most classrooms today are filled with a number of different races and cultures.  Preschool and elementary children are just beginning to notice differences of hair, eye and skin color.  By taking the time to teach children about various cultures, they are better able to understand and appreciate differences.

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Have you read The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf with your children?

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I went to see the movie Blind Side. I thought this movie was great!  I always love a movie that is based on a true story.

During the movie, the mother reads The Story of Ferdinand to her children.  Being a huge fan of children’s literature, I had to read the story.

My children and I checked it out from the library and cuddled up to read it.  I wasn’t sure if they would like it.  There are no princesses and no colored pictures.  Simply a bull who likes to sit and smell the flowers.

They loved it!!!!!!!!!!  My 3 year old daughter wanted it read to her for the next three days.

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Will you be teaching your children about Martin Luther King Jr. next Monday?

I realize that Martin Luther King Jr. day is not until Monday, January 18th.  However as a parent, planning ahead can make life easier.  Since my children will have the day off from school, I feel it is important that we discuss why there is no school and teach them about Martin Luther King Jr.

Yes I am sure that on Monday I could go online and quickly pull up an article or activity to do with my children.  I decided that I would take some time this week to look through a couple articles and activities and find one that would work well for both a 6 year old and a 3 year old.

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Do you have any outings planned for the winter break?

Museum trips? Art exhibits? Concerts? The zoo?

I truly enjoy winter break.  It is a fun time to do activities around the city with the entire family.  No need to worry about  bedtime, homework or after school activities.  It is simply quality time with the family.

Over break we are finally going to go see the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Science Museum.  We have been wanting to go since the fall but have yet to make it there.

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What do your children know about Christmas?  Hanukkah?  Kwanzaa?

As the holidays are upon us, it is easy to get distracted by all of the food, parties and gifts.  However it is important to take the time to teach children about this special time of year.  When I asked my daughter why we celebrate Christmas she said, “So Santa can bring us presents.”  Obviously we need to have the “true meaning of Christmas” talk at our house.

It is also important to take the time to educate your children about other holidays and cultures celebrated throughout the world.  Children today have friends and classmates from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.  Therefore it is important for them to know what holidays are celebrated and why they are celebrated.

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