Suche
Mein Konto
Traditions in kindergarten: celebrating festivals and teaching values
Christian festivals in kindergarten promote cultural understanding and social values, says Harald Zierfuß. Respect and integrate diversity.
Traditions in kindergarten: celebrating festivals and teaching values
On December 9, 2024, the ÖVP's education spokesman, Harald Zierfuß, took a clear stance on an incident that caused a stir in a school in the 9th district. The traditional St. Nicholas celebration there was canceled on December 6th in order not to “confuse” the “new Austrians”. Instead, the school celebrated a “star festival”. Zierfuß criticized that this type of supposed tolerance was not only misunderstood, but also counter-intuitive. He explained that celebrating Christian festivals in educational institutions is crucial to understanding and appreciating the cultural and historical identity that shapes Austria. This is particularly important for children from different religious backgrounds to provide orientation and values such as compassion and gratitude, which are important for their personal development.
Important cultural events in kindergarten
In addition, regular celebrations are practiced in kindergartens, which make up a significant part of the annual cycle. These lead to children being introduced early to rituals and traditions that are closely linked to the respective date. Studies show that festivals such as Christmas, Easter, St. Martin's Day and many more not only bring joy to children, but also strengthen their sense of community. It allows the little ones to better understand the seasons and take an active part in the preparations. This also confirms that Prokita portal, which highlights how important these events are for learning and experiencing community.
A well-planned holiday in kindergarten connects not only children, but also parents and educators to create shared experiences. With crafts, songs, dances and the exchange of cultural backgrounds, a space is created that promotes diversity and cohesion. At a time when cultural identity is becoming increasingly important, such events are not only a highlight in kindergarten, but also a necessary bridge to the integration and understanding of diverse traditions.