How Celebrations Influence Growth

Celebrations are all around us! We commemorate many things and occasions with family and friends in our homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Each child’s community, whether it be where they live, where they learn (the classroom), where they play (the park), or where they explore (the library), is comprised of unique individuals that influence their development.

Each interaction impacts your child’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Here are a few ways you can continue to support and celebrate your child’s growth through these types of experiences:

• Provide opportunities to play and collaborate with others. Children learn social skills such as listening, sharing, and learning to talk by interacting and building relationships through play with others.
  • Participate in community events and celebrations
• Teach kindness and empathy. You can support your child’s growth by promoting good habits such as using their manners, expressing gratitude or compassion, and taking part in random acts of kindness. Having empathy for others leads to building positive relationships and celebrating each other’s strengths.
  • Make a card for a neighbor
  • Draw a picture for a teacher
  • Pick up litter when on a walk
    
• Model and teach respectful behaviors. Children often communicate through their behavior. When families model and teach respectful and kind behaviors toward others, children learn to do the same. Celebrating others means being respectful to ourselves and those around us.
  • Invite your child to help prepare for a party for a family member
  • Involve your child in collecting toys to bring to a donation center
• Provide opportunities for children to learn about themselves and others. Listen to and acknowledge children’s feelings. Provide a safe space for them to ask questions about the world around them. Point out when your child’s actions impact the feelings of others and encourage more positive interactions.

The more we know, the more we have to celebrate! We are all unique individuals who contribute in many ways. Together, we can make our communities more kind, caring, inclusive, and safe.

Book Recommendations

Books are a great way to reinforce the importance of community connections, positive celebrations, and spreading kindness. Here are two stories to get you started:

The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague (Listen Here)

Pass it On by Sophy Henn (Listen Here)