By Marcia Kidd

Several years ago, I heard a speaker tell the story of a 5-year old boy who melted down at his third family celebration on Christmas Day. As the family gathered around the tree to open gifts for the third time, he wailed, “I’m tired of presents – I just want to go outside to play!”

As we plan to observe special days throughout the year, it can be difficult to keep a balance that allows us to experience the joy of the occasion without becoming overwhelmed and stressed. This can be especially challenging for children, who are much more sensitive to changes in routine and react more to overstimulation. Holiday celebrations are nonetheless important occasions for children, creating memories and adding to their lives in special ways. Holiday celebrations:

Holidays are observed in the Montessori classroom, but in more conservative and subtle ways, as teachers strive to preserve the consistency and balance which safeguards the security of the child. In the Montessori classroom, holidays are treated as cultural celebrations and learning opportunities that are woven subtly into the curriculum. The observance of holidays is intentionally understated by naturally incorporating age-appropriate activities into the different areas of the classroom.

Sensorial activities are plentiful, with the grinding of spices, baking, and tasting of holiday foods. Practical Life activities reflect the culture of the holiday, with cooking, cleaning, sewing and polishing activities. Art projects and crafts allow children to continue to practice pencil and brush control, cutting, pasting, and folding, as they delight in creating simple holiday treasures. Classroom libraries provide information, poems and stories to be read aloud and enjoyed throughout the holiday. Seasonal songs and fingerplays shared at circle time often erupt spontaneously throughout the day as children work. 

Holidays also provide topics for language exploration, themes for math problems to solve and a multitude of opportunities to study the history, geography and culture that surround holidays around the world. At MSL, teachers often welcome parents into the classroom to share the holidays of their culture. Montessori students at the Elementary and Middle School levels observe holidays in the context of how these celebrations relate to the intellectual and spiritual needs of humans throughout history (Stephenson). Older students often use holidays as springboards for creating stories and plays, as well as service learning projects and charitable giving. 

Downplaying the commercialism and frenetic activity of many of our holidays, the Montessori approach encourages students and families to embrace holidays with thought and moderation, while maintaining the peacefulness and security of home and classroom.  

Resources: