Understanding the World - It's wonderful!

While it's still the season to be jolly, many early years settings are taking a step back and thinking what message they want to be portraying to children and families this Christmas. After a tough few years of lockdowns, being able to safely get together and celebrate as a community is being embraced, but nurseries are also continuing to be mindful of including families of all faiths, or none, and of the current challenging financial times, with nature being favoured over commercialisation.

‘For us, Christmas at Growing Places centres around our connections with children, families and with nature,’ says pedagogical lead Carlie Powell. ‘A natural Christmas that allows our children to explore using their senses – the smell of cinnamon and gingerbread, twinkly lights and reflections of winter shadows; the sound of bells. We focus on the joy of giving rather than receiving; each nursery spreading kindness in their local communities with handmade gifts and mince pies. We gather with local care home residents to make wreaths using the foliage collected by the children and invite families to gather to sing carols together. We focus on developing an understanding of, and reflecting upon, family traditions at home and also sharing Christmas celebrations from other cultures.’