Planning how to celebrate holidays and significant days in a way that feels respectful, meaningful, and inclusive for all families can be a delicate balancing act. Early learning programs often bring together families with a wide range of cultural backgrounds, traditions, and beliefs—and with that diversity comes different perspectives on which celebrations feel appropriate. Navigating these conversations with care, openness, and curiosity is essential.
One educator shared an experience that illustrates this process:
“We received some pushback when we did some Halloween activities one year. A family was concerned because it’s not part of their culture. We set up a meeting and learned they were worried about how it symbolizes the devil. The way we navigated that was to explain that we celebrate some aspects of Christmas, some activities for Chinese New Year, or some pieces of Ramadan, and in the same way, some parts of Halloween—not the spiritual ones. We explained that we observe these celebrations because it’s important to some of the families that come here. So, when they understood, they were okay with it. And I think recognizing that it’s not just going to be Christian holidays that we’re celebrating was a bit of an eye opener for them. Overall, we get really good feedback from families about how we’re exposing their kids to new things and different cultures.”
This story shows the kind of thoughtful dialogue that often sits at the heart of inclusive practice. Instead of avoiding conflict or pushing forward with the planned activity, the educator opened a conversation—and in doing so learned something important about the family’s values and concerns. Celebrations, after all, aren’t just about themed activities or marking a date on the calendar; they’re about bringing people together. Moments like these can create opportunities to learn, connect meaningfully, and build trusting relationships with families.
This dialogue also led to an important insight: inclusion doesn’t mean celebrating everything in the same way, or avoiding celebration altogether. Instead, it’s about selecting aspects of cultural or seasonal events that are meaningful, developmentally appropriate, and reflective of the diverse community you serve. It’s an ongoing practice of listening, explaining, and co-creating approaches that honour both families’ beliefs and the program’s commitment to celebrating a wide range of cultures. These celebrations can become bridges, helping families connect with each other and see the diversity within their community.
By engaging in open discussion, seeking common ground, and focusing on shared values, educators can navigate celebrations in a way that feels inclusive, thoughtful, and responsive. Celebrations become meaningful not just because of what is observed, but because of how they help cultivate understanding and connection among families.
Resources:
Holiday Celebrations
This tip page offers an entry point to engage families and learn developmentally and culturally responsive ways of celebrating diverse holidays.
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