Press release from: Milton Hall Montessori Nursery School
With Diwali falling on the 24th October 2022, the stage was set to spend the week immersed in just some of the many traditions associated with the ‘Festival of Lights.’
The children were so excited to celebrate Diwali with their friends and teachers on Tuesday 17th October before half term.
The children dressed up in beautiful bright Indian clothes and had a fun filled day packed full of Diwali themed activities.
The children created their own sparkling Diva greeting cards, they made a clay Rangoli using different bright coloured paints and glued beautiful colourful gemstones.
From exploring Rangoli patterns, tasting delicious sweets, experiencing Indian dancing dandiya- raas and the dance operates in pairs, meaning the group must contain an even number. Generally, two lines are formed, with partners facing each other. The lines move clockwise, and each person steps forward to hit sticks with their partner, then moves on two people. to the lighting of candles in beautifully decorated diva lamps, all the children had opportunities to learn about this cultural celebration.
Our early childhood curriculum advocates for children to experience the stories and symbols of their own and other cultures and present children with opportunities to re-tell and create them. These learning experiences also lend themselves to fostering literacy through exposure to print and symbols along with mathematical concepts such as numbers, patterns and geometry. It is safe to say that children and teachers alike immensely enjoyed the week’s festivities proving that ‘distance’ is no barrier for us to come together as a community.
We would like to say A Big Thank You to one of the parent home helpers, Ravinder came in to create lovely Mendhi patterns on the staff and the children’s hands. We enjoyed decorating the children’s hands with Mehndi and talking to the children about how and why they celebrate Diwali with their family. It was such a special day!
