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DEAR CATHIE—
WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS AND HOW AND WHEN TO BRING OUR CHILD INTO OUR FAMILY’S TRADITIONS. SOMETIMES, IT FEELS TOTALLY OVERWHELMING, AND MAYBE IT IS JUST TOO SOON TO THINK ABOUT IT AT ALL. WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BEGIN, AND WHAT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES SHOULD WE BE THINKING ABOUT?
— A YOUNG FAMILY
Dear Young Family,
It is never too soon to begin creating intentional traditions or just living and sharing the seasons and the holidays and letting your repeated experiences grow into family traditions. The truth is, often, anything a family does twice is considered to be a tradition by children. As you enjoy celebrating the changing seasons or the holidays, it is natural to want to share that with your children and involve them in your joy. Your enthusiasm will be contagious, whether picking apples, carving pumpkins, planning Thanksgiving meals, putting out decorations, going to an Autumn fest, or walking in nature to appreciate the colorful leaves or flowers. Sharing them with young children sets the stage for future experiences — building memories extending into middle childhood, adolescence, and beyond. Shared experiences make strong families. And children will look forward to traditions.
Aim for yearly traditions spanning each season of the year. Traditions can revolve around nature, planting and harvesting, food and food preparation, and trips to the zoo, park, pumpkin patch, nature trails, or farmer’s market. They can also involve preparation of the home, such as decorating for a season, weeding out your clothes or toys as the children grow, or sharing sports experiences, either as spectators or as participants: skiing, snowboarding, skating, hiking, beach time, etc. Philanthropic projects can also be a part of holiday traditions that can grow with the family as the children’s ability to participate increases.
Any type or level of holiday tradition should be upbeat and fun; these activities will help build a strong family. Enjoy any holidays you may celebrate, especially the time you spend with each other.
Cathie Perolman is a reading specialist, Elementary educator, author, consultant, and creator of educational materials for Primary and Elementary students. Check out her new downloadable materials on her website cathieperolman.com.
For more than three decades, she has dedicated her energies to improving reading for all youngsters. She is the author of Practical Special Needs for the Montessori Method: A Handbook for 3-6 Teachers and Homeschoolers published by the Montessori Foundation (available through montessori.org.) She is a regular contributor to Tomorrow’s Child and Montessori Leadership magazines.
Cathie holds a BS in Early Childhood Education and a MEd in Elementary Education, with a concentration in reading. She is credentialed as a Montessori teacher. She is married and has two adult children and two adorable granddaughters.
