Take an intentional approach to the holiday season using a curated collection of resources from Teaching Young Children, NAEYC books, and our blog! Find ideas for creating joyful moments and holding space for diverse traditions in early learning settings and at home. And families can explore ways to approach thoughtful gift-giving and selecting materials for their children. 

Creating Joyful Moments and Holding Space for Diverse Traditions 

Holidays in a Diverse World: Applying Anti-Bias Thinking in Curriculum explores how educators can thoughtfully approach holiday celebrations in early learning settings. It offers strategies to honor diverse traditions, encourage inclusivity, and challenge stereotypes, helping children develop respect for different cultures while fostering a sense of belonging. Perfect for educators looking to align their holiday activities with anti-bias principles, this resource provides actionable insights for creating a more equitable and inclusive learning environment. 

Are you a family member looking for budget-friendly ways to create engaging learning experiences for your children over winter break? Check out the Message in a Backpack™ feature Making STEM Connections with Your Child for creative ideas and low-cost STEM materials to help you get started with making and tinkering at home. 

“I Helped Mama Too!” Cooking With a Tiny Helper highlights the joy and learning opportunities of involving children in the kitchen. Cooking together can be a wonderful way to bond, create traditions, and build skills. Whether stirring, measuring, or simply observing, children can feel included and proud of their contributions. 
 

Thoughtful Gift-Giving to Foster Play and Learning 

• Chapter 5: Play Materials That Help Me Construct Knowledge and Understanding in Infants and Toddlers at Play: Choosing the Right Stuff  
  Consider materials such as balls, bubbles, finger paint, or fabric pieces to provide sensory stimulation and support cognitive development for infants and toddlers. 
• Chapter 15: Play Materials That Enhance My Fine Motor Skills in Preschoolers at Play: Choosing the Right Stuff for Learning and Development 
  Materials like shovels, building toys, playdough, and lacing cards can help preschoolers build wrist flexibility, hand strength, and finger dexterity. 
• Message in a Backpack™. Big Words for Little Learners: Building Vocabulary While Reading Together 
  Are you planning to give children’s books as gifts? Follow these tips to help foster vocabulary knowledge while sharing in the joy of reading with children. 
• Message in a Backpack™ Encouraging Process Art at Home: Reaping the Benefits of Joy and Making 
  Have your children received art materials as gifts? Help them engage in process art as they explore and experience materials without working toward a particular end product. 
• Why This Toy? 
  See this resource for some questions to consider before selecting a toy or children’s product. 
• Toys as Tools: Everyday Science Experiences 
  Simple toys and tools can engage children as they explore natural phenomena in ways that will support their later science learning and help children build their problem-solving skills. 
• Good Toys for Young Children by Age and Stage 
  Toys for young children need to match their stages of development and emerging abilities. See suggestions for younger and older infants, toddlers, and 3- to 6-year-olds.