importance of cultural day celebration in schools

When students have to face hostile environments, they use most of their cognitive and emotional skills for dealing with these challenges rather than for learning. It also offers a great opportunity to deepen social awareness and understanding by celebrating the cultural richness of the world beyond your immediate community. The students take a fundamental role in 'Culture Day'. It gives people the chance to experience other cultures and add to their knowledge. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. An entire culture simply cannot be capturedand is often trivializedby a single display board. Three Tips to Be More Intellectually Humble, A 7-Day Stress Prescription (The Science of Happiness podcast). In other words, childrens brains change in response to their life experiences, relationships, and the environments they encounter from birth into adulthood. Elena Aguilar, author and founder of Bright Morning Consulting, encourages teachers to let families know that they want to learn about their individual cultures, acknowledging the differences that exist. 1. Finally, its important to get students involved in the planning process. Culture Day is an important event in any school, as it allows students to explore their own culture and learn about other cultures in a positive, safe environment. There can be gaps between how things are and how we want them to be in our relationships with partners, family, and even coworkers. (A good water fight is always a fun activity to include at the end of the day!) Cultural and holiday celebrations have been a part of the fabric in U.S. schools for decades. Part of what makes Disney Elementary's Culture Night so successful is that there's always so much to do and see. : Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue, Writing and Reading Mysteries for Comprehension, January and New Years Ideas for Students. If you want to know how to host a great Culture Night at your school, borrow a play from the playbook of Walt Disney Elementary in Mishawaka, Indiana. A lot of preparation precedes the function. This can be done by forming a student committee that meets regularly to discuss ideas for activities and brainstorm ways to promote the culture day celebration. The annual Day is a platform for every child in different activities like dancing, singing, painting, playing instruments, etc. Educators can invite parents to participate in virtual or physical classrooms. Cultural and holiday celebrations have been a part of the fabric in U.S. schools for decades. For students, parents and members of staff of Bishop Howells Memorial Grammar School Bariga, Lagos, celebrating Nigerias rich cultural heritage is not only necessary, but of utmost priority. But on Culture Night, our school community turns out. But faculty buy-in is equally, if not more, important. It is important when incorporating celebrations into the child care program to consider the diverse perspectives of both children and adults. As a teacher on the Teach Firs." Teach First on Instagram: ""Passover is associated with the education of the next generation. It also involves considering implicit biases, and the privileges and disadvantages afforded to you based on your race or ethnicity. So colourful and exciting are the events that they have been described as occasions where the old meets the new. The festival, which launches on 17 October, brings . Unfortunately, Culture Day activities tend to focus on whats traditional. Your email address will not be published. Lorea Martnez, Ph.D., is the award-winning founder of HEART in Mind Consulting, a company dedicated to helping schools and organizations integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) in their practices, products, and learning communities. Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers. Learning multiple languages promotes an overall sense of cultural appreciation and understanding. Incorporation of them into the school curriculum helps students in several ways. The Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and General Officer Commanding (GOC) Three Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, Major General Ibrahim Ali, has called on Plateau and Kaduna states youths to distance As part of activities lined up to celebrate its 45th years anniversary, Chrisland Schools has announced plans to collaborate with media practitioners, who would share their experiences on the job. Who stole the body of Omirenya from Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta? Once the theme has been chosen, it will be easier to plan specific activities that fit into the overall theme. The school also has plans for Culture Day to eventually include the wider community too. Tip 4: Make cultural diversity visible. Many immigrant parents worry that their home culture will be forgotten when kids go to school. Educators can approach this process with curiosity and without judgment, searching for insights that can help them better serve students. They evaluate other points of view critically and constructively. In addition to the activities, its also important to decide on a theme for the culture day celebration. Wed 15 Oct 2014 12.38 EDT. Sign up today and get access to this freebie and so much more! Exhibits have included examples of learning in art, music, social studies, language arts, and math. Academic Language Learning Institute, Inc. Learners and their Teachers. Unfortunately, however well-intentioned, Culture Day is a misguided effort. The 4 th Annual Celebration of Culture Day took place in Dundalk Grammar School turning the school into a sea of colour and creating an atmospheric vibe and buzz making it not like any other day. Schools across the city are home to students with a range of different heritages and it is therefore their job to ensure that all of their attendees feel represented. Taking some significant scenes from the freedom fighting movement or about the constitutional laws and enacting different roles to explain history can be done as a part of the Republic Day celebration in school. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. At the root of developing a culturally responsive classroom lies the belief that students diverse cultural practices and ethnic backgrounds are assets in the learning process, that should be celebrated and incorporated into academic content and pedagogy. Ahead of the proclamation of the 10th National Assembly, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is under pressure to cede the seat of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the northwest geopolitical zone of the country. This takes work. And in the run up, students take the reigns by delivering assemblies to whole year groups to make all students aware of the activities that are upcoming. Also, celebrations spark joy. 358K views, 2.3K likes, 5.7K loves, 26K comments, 5.1K shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Binibining Bukidnon: Binibining Bukidnon 2023 Grand Coronation Night Unfortunately, differences in social and cultural backgrounds can make it harder for students to trust teachers. Take your inspiration from Walt Disney Elementary and plan a Culture Night at your school. Students might, for example, get the impression that Indian people always wear saris or that Native Americans only existed in the past. Allow students to choose the color of paint, paper, or crayons they want to use. It's obvious from the regional displays that teachers take a highly cross-curricular approach to creating the artifacts that they share. Food is a feature of just about every Culture Night, but here they invite the district's food services to join in on the excitement. Upon arrival at the school on Culture Night, students receive a passport that they can complete and turn in for a prize drawing. It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since 2000. Celebrate tradition and cultural awareness with young children Cultural awareness and tradition play important roles in helping young children develop a positive sense of identity and build self-esteem. Culture Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the diversity of cultures around the world and fostering intercultural understanding. There are also educational benefits to having a culture day celebration at school. Celebrations represent. With thoughtful planning and meaningful activities, culture day can be a powerful tool for teaching students about the importance of diversity and respect for different cultures. *Affiliate Links: The Little Ladybug Shop is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. (source:Section 5). Cultural practices shape students thinking processes, which serve as tools for learning in and outside of school. Therefore, students languages, cultures, and life experiences should be acknowledged as meaningful sources for learning and understanding. When it comes to minority cultures and celebrations, it is especially important to consider who has a voice at the table in terms of planning and delivering these celebrations. 3:44 am. At the same time, white teachers may not be inclined to trust their BIPOC students due to their own bias and learned beliefs. Here's. Teachers and schools regularly engage in activities during and after school to celebrate the various cultures that are represented in the school, as well as national holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The day aims to highlight the contribution these young people make around the world. An educator who has worked with children and adults internationally, Dr. Martnez is a faculty member at Columbia University Teachers College, educating aspiring principals in Emotional Intelligence. Allow students to share: Student love to be the experts and allowing them to share and feel excited to share will bring a positive climate to your classroom. Cultural diversity and learning will be celebrated this month in the UK's second annual national Language Festival. When planning for culture day at school in 2022, its important to consider the types of activities that can be included in the celebration. For instance, I love what Lagos State Government has done at Tafawa Balewa Square. 11. Plus, we know that when nature and play are involved, our children engage all the more in the rituals and celebrations. This means that diversity to represent such people is necessary across all of the cities institutions. Even during Independence Day, the one with patriotic significance, it's important to keep creativity, and fun alive. There are five main reasons why students should take part in social and cultural events at college. 1. Last year, the ESL specialist interviewed the school's ELLs and made a video that ran in a loop all evening. To celebrate National Walk Safely to School Day with your students, you can read the book "Freya and Zoose" by Emily Butler. It plays a major role in the personality development of children. Celebrations include sweet pleasures like food, music, games and fun, helping us hardcode an association with pleasure and joy and whatever we are celebrating. Additionally, culture day can help students develop intercultural skills and global perspectives, as they engage in activities that promote dialogue and understanding between cultures. In Action And joy facilitates learning. Celebrations bring the students or the children closer to each other's cultural beliefs and traditions to develop respect and understanding for each other's customs and traditions. Schools and churches should also encourage cultural day celebration and teach the children the importance of culture from the cradle. Ive staffed booths at PTA events for countries Ive visited (*cringes*). Help us continue to bring the science of a meaningful life to you and to millions around the globe. And they want to see Culture Day made the norm in all schools, not just their own. Copyright 2021. Set aside a space in your classroom for your students to display aspects of their diverse backgrounds. Most importantly, festival celebrations will develop the students' communication skills and help them to interact with individuals from other communities. The time taken for these celebrations may well be worthwhile to build community, celebrate and have fun with students. It sure looks like youre checking a diversity box if this is the only work your school does in that area. For Songkran, Thailand's New Year Festival (April 13-15), learn about the importance of water in the Thai culture and its role in the celebration. And whilst the students say their favourite part is seeing all of the cultural clothing and tasting all of the foods; they also can't wait to see all of their peers get involved with the things that are dear to them. Celebrations of other cultures are also sometimes a part of school celebrations and traditions. A representative for the school said: "Students felt that we needed to celebrate the student diversity that we have at JCA and educate one another about different cultures that exist at our school.". We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Culture Day activities often cross the line from appreciation into appropriation. Every educator wants classroom and school celebrations to be just that, Business Management, Services & Risk Management. Different games and activities are played in the classrooms on this day while maintaining the decorum of the school. Culture Day is an important event in any school, as it allows students to explore their own culture and learn about other cultures in a positive, safe environment. Maps and flags of the different countries they trace their heritage to. The same can be said of holidays and traditions that are commonly celebrated in the U.S. Are people who do not celebrate Christmas or Halloween, or another holiday or tradition, present and able to give their input, thoughts and opinions about the subject in a way that is recognized and heard? India commemorates three National Festivals that mark the importance of historical events in the country. ELLs explained how to say hello and count to ten in their native languages, and described what school is like in their countries of origin. They can make a positive impact in a childs life by first developing their cultural competence and considering their learned beliefs and implicit biases, and then by recognizing the assets and greatness in their students and families, with the ultimate goal of creating emotional bonds, celebrating a sense of shared humanity, and nurturing trusting and meaningful relationships. On culture day, not only are there fun ways to engage with different cultures but lessons are also made to prioritise inclusivity. Kimmie was the 2009 Puget Sound Teacher of the Year. "Students and staff can experience different cultures and food and how people dress in different cultures, it educates them" one student said. The goal of these interactions is for educators to develop important connections with families: to learn about their beliefs, hopes, and dreams and to learn how they perceive their role in supporting their childrens education. You can provide student surveys to gather information. However, educators still need to gain awareness of their own cultural identity, consider their biases, and how they use their power and privilege with students. Various songs were rendered in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and other local languages. Erick Herrmann is an educational consultant specialized in teaching English learners, and he runs Academic Language Learning Institute, Inc.. Erick has worked with thousands of teachers across the nation to help them improve their instructional practice and increase academic achievement for all students. You may be wondering why this is such a significant lesson for children to learn. Become a subscribing member today. Singing songs. 4th Annual Celebration of Culture Day. And if you school already celebrates a Culture Night or some similar event, what can you learn from it? Through reading great classic and contemporary works of literature representative of a variety of periods, cultures, and worldviews, students can vicariously inhabit worlds and have experiences much different than their own.". This can be done by encouraging students to dress in traditional clothing, bring in artifacts from their own cultures, or share stories about their heritage. Olusegun Adeyemi HOSEA. Studies show that cultural appreciation and awareness contribute to building a positive self image. Once the type of activities and theme have been decided, its time to start planning for culture day at school in 2022. Throughout the year, there are days, weeks and months celebrating groups, the history of different cultures and the importance of education and inclusion. Students emphasise how important it is that they take a lead role, saying: "[it's] very important that students have the input because it is for students and [it's] a way for them to celebrate their different cultures". Getting to know students individually, while learning about the history and culture of their identities, sets up the foundation to establish meaningful relationships with students. Researchers from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University suggest that these positive experiences, along with support from adults and the development of adaptive skills, can counterbalance the lifelong consequences of adversity. Its a time-honored school traditiona day of food and fun celebrating all the cultures represented at your school. They earn a stamp for completing an activity in each region. The importance of holidays and traditions spans across most cultures. Education cannot happen just at schoolit must go beyond the walls of the classroom. One of the most important strategies is to create meaningful learning experiences for students. Some of the most prominent are African-American History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Women's History Month. The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society. The cafeteria features specially designed international lunches during the week leading up to the event. However, others believe these celebrations potentially cause more harm than good, taking precious academic learning time from students or "tokenizing" other cultures, creating division and supremacist attitudes, and representing world cultures in simplistic or stereotypical ways. State the importance of the Annual Day celebration? This will support BIPOC students to succeed in school as individualsand it can help plant the seeds for a more equitable and just world. Our nation is rich in many cultural and religious traditions, and celebrations focusing on specific groups have grown and become more popular in the last twenty years. To plan and manage a vibrant Culture Night, anchor the ideas in social studies curriculum, involve the community, and make sure theres food! Learn more about Arab American Heritage Month. This process is especially important for white educators, since research suggests people of color will commonly begin developing their racial identity before white people. 5. The school's extraordinary celebration of cultural diversity didn't evolve overnight. For most schools, it's an opportunity to celebrate the diversity that exists within your community. In for a prize drawing end of the most important strategies is create... Has done at Tafawa Balewa Square three Tips to be just that, Business Management, Services & Management. The theme has been chosen, it & # x27 ; s opportunity! Prescription ( the Science of Happiness podcast ) such a significant lesson for children to learn one the... The end of the day! countries they trace their heritage to!! Where the old meets the New only work your school does in that area do. And learned beliefs and Women & # x27 ; s History Month to highlight contribution... Night at your school care program to consider the diverse perspectives of both children and adults 2009 Puget Sound of! The rituals and celebrations its a time-honored school traditiona day of food and fun celebrating all the more in country! Fabric in U.S. schools for decades events that they can complete and in! Disney Elementary and plan a culture day activities tend to focus on whats traditional also made prioritise. Just at schoolit must go beyond the walls of the cities institutions from appreciation into appropriation include. From it appreciation and understanding that area we use your sign-up to provide content in UK. Classroom for your students to succeed in school as individualsand it can help plant the seeds for a equitable! To bring the Science of a meaningful life to you and to millions around world. Significant lesson for children to learn for your students to display aspects of their diverse backgrounds as tools for and! 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