The holidays are here! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukah, you’ll soon be getting ready for all the traditions and celebrations with these dates. While your family may celebrate one holiday, your neighbors (or their school friends) may celebrate another. Teaching children in charter schools in Greenville NC about winter holidays can help them better understand the world and those around them. From Walton Academy, one of the top Greenville NC schools, here are a few ways to do just that.

Holiday Stories

Books are a great way to introduce your children in Greenville NC schools to winter holidays from other countries. There are books available on a variety of topics related to holiday celebrations throughout the world. This will help your children understand more about winter holidays in other cultures. They can even draw pictures or create craft projects based on what they learn!

For Christmas

1. The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore: a Christmas classic, this poem tells the story of Santa Claus delivering presents to all the good boys and girls on the night before Christmas.
2. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: This book tells the story of a young boy who takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Along the way, he meets other children, a friendly conductor, and Santa Claus, and learns the true meaning of Christmas. The book is known for its beautiful illustrations and heartwarming message and has been adapted into a popular movie and a stage musical.
3. The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann: a classic children’s story about a young girl named Marie who is given a nutcracker doll as a Christmas gift. The nutcracker takes Marie on a magical journey through a winter wonderland, where she meets a menagerie of characters.

For Kwanzaa

1. K is for Kwanzaa: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book by Juwanda G. Ford: is a children’s book that teaches children in Greenville NC schools about the cultural holiday of Kwanzaa and the seven principles that are central to the holiday. The book uses each letter of the alphabet to introduce a different aspect of Kwanzaa.
2. The Seven Days of Kwanzaa by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate: a children’s book that teaches young readers about the cultural holiday of Kwanzaa and the seven principles that are central to the holiday. The book follows a young girl named Nia as she celebrates each day of Kwanzaa with her family, learning about the history and significance of the holiday.
3. Kwanzaa: A Family Affair by Juwanda G. Ford: is a children’s book that tells the story of a group of siblings who learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa as they work together to make a quilt. The book teaches the values of Kwanzaa in a heartwarming tale.

For Hanukah

1. The Hanukkah Mice by Roni Schotter: It tells the story of a group of mice who celebrate Hanukkah by decorating their home, eating traditional foods, and performing good deeds. The book is a fun and engaging way to introduce young readers to the traditions and customs of Hanukkah.
2. Hanukkah Moon by Deborah da Costa: is a children’s book that tells the story of a young boy named Aaron who celebrates Hanukkah with his family and imagines himself traveling through different places and times. The book celebrates the joy and traditions of Hanukkah and teaches children in Greenville NC schools about the history and significance of the holiday.
3. Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights by Leslie Kimmelman: is a children’s book written by Leslie Kimmelman. It follows a young girl named Rachel as she celebrates Hanukkah with her family, lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating traditional foods. The book is a fun and engaging way to introduce young readers to the traditions and customs of Hanukkah.

Holiday Food Experiences

Bring home food experiences by cooking dishes from different countries and talking about what types of traditional dishes people eat during their holiday celebrations. Try making latkes for Hanukkah or tamales for Christmas! Your kids in Greenville NC schools will love learning about different cultures through yummy snacks.

For Christmas

1. Mince pies: These are small sweet pies filled with a mixture of dried fruit, spices, and sometimes a small amount of minced meat. They are a traditional Christmas treat in the UK and other parts of the world.
2. Panettone: This is a type of sweet bread that is traditional in Italy. It is made with raisins, candied fruit, and a variety of spices and is often served at Christmas.
3. Gingerbread: This is a sweet biscuit or cookie made with ginger and other spices. It is often shaped into gingerbread men or other holiday-themed shapes and is a popular treat during the Christmas season.

For Kwanzaa

1. Egusi soup: a thick, flavorful soup made with ground melon seeds, vegetables, and protein (such as meat or tofu).
2. Jollof rice: a spicy, flavorful rice dish that is popular in West Africa.
3. Suya noodles: a popular street food in Nigeria, made by stir-frying noodles with suya spice and vegetables.

For Hanukah

1. Latkes: These are potato pancakes fried in oil, which is a symbol of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple during Hanukkah.
2. Matzo ball soup: This is a soup made with matzo balls (small dumplings made from matzo meal) and chicken broth. It is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish often served during Hanukkah.
3. Sufganiyot: These are jelly donuts fried in oil and filled with jam or other sweet fillings. They are also a symbol of the miracle of the oil.

Walton Academy | Greenville NC Schools

Teaching your kids in Greenville NC schools about winter holidays worldwide is a wonderful opportunity to foster cultural appreciation and understanding among young learners. With books and food experiences, there are plenty of creative ways you can make this learning process fun as well as educational! Interested in sending your children to charter schools in Greenville NC this year? Walton Learning Center can help! To learn more about enrolling your child at Walton Academy, visit our website today.