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WEEK of December 17, 2007
@BFS! archives

Preschoolers Celebrate Festivals of Light and Learn about Toys Around the World

Holidays in the United States and around the world were explored in an exciting way in the BFS Preschool division this December when the Green and Orange Rooms (4 and 5 year olds) held their annual “International Toy Museum.” The museum is a temporary exhibit set up in Orange Room classroom, which becomes a showcase of children’s toys and artifacts from around the globe. This class project is accompanied by engaging classroom activities during the weeks leading up to the BFS winter vacation. Parents take part in the activities by coming into their children’s classroom to sing a song, read a story, share something special pertaining to the holidays, or talk about family traditions.

“We do the toy museum at this time of the year because the children learn about celebrations around the world and include those that we celebrate with our own families,” Preschool Head Karen Luks. “These include Diwali (from India), Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah and Three Kings (South America and France), among others. It helps us become aware that there are special days and Festivals of Light all over the world. We notice that candles and lights are part of many winter holidays. We talk about ancient beliefs and also about the Quaker belief that people have light within and this helps us brighten dark days.”

To emphasize the latter, Orange Room teachers Maura Eden and Camille Fobbs and Green Room teachers Sharon Carter and Robin Stewart, turn out the lights and tell stories with candles, then discuss how tales can be told without picture books. They point out to the students that for years people passed on stories in this very way. “Storytelling is a dying art for many of us,” said Karen, “and the children absolutely love it.”

The teachers also talk about how many holidays have a gift sharing aspect, which often means toys for children. That’s where the toy museum comes in. The exhibit includes not only handmade playthings from around the world but costumes and instruments as well. Many BFS parents get involved in creating the museum, sharing songs from their home countries and lending toys and artifacts to the hands-on display.

The activities culminate in each child choosing a favorite toy to draw; their work is now on display on their classroom bulletin boards.