It is a prominent fact that the importance of festivals in adults’ and children’s lives is supreme. The spirit of festivities makes people unite and celebrate culture and traditions. Along with a means of commemorating cultural heritage, festivals provide an opportunity to create new memories. Different cultures have diverse festivals, but the joy and enthusiasm are the same. For adults, celebrations are a way of taking a break from monotonous routines, re-live nostalgic memories, and keeping their traditions alive. Festivals have always been a means of savoring beautiful moments in life for adults, but what about children? What is the importance of festivals in kids’ lives? Well, for kids, this is the perfect time to learn and enrich their lives with knowledge. Through festivals, kids are exposed to the value and significance of relationships and cultural heritage, all while having fun. Thus, child experts strongly recommend that parents introduce their kids to diverse rituals of the festivals and involve them in celebratory activities.
PC: natgeokids
Why involve kids in the celebration of festivals?
Festivals play a significant role in a child’s life. While being a part of celebrations, children experience vivid emotions that bring them happiness and create great memories. Moreover, getting introduced to the festive spirit at an early age provides kids with developmental benefits that can broaden their horizons of knowledge.
Following are a few of the many reasons why kids should be involved in the celebration of festivals.
1. Importance of festivals & their backstories
Every festival has a rich backstory, and every story has numerous lessons and values to teach. Additionally, historical and geographical contexts associated with festivals explain why we celebrate festivals with specific rituals. Awareness of these stories will help kids understand the relevance of festive events, practices, and rituals. Moreover, the knowledge of backstories will expand their awareness and knowledge about social customs, mythology, vibrant past, and prominent figures.
2. The essence of culture and traditions
Kids need to possess a deep-rooted understanding of the identity of their culture and traditions. Because this not only helps in developing a positive sense of identity but also influences kids to connect with their culture through rituals, native decorations, food, etc., to maintain continuity over generations. Thus, parents should make kids a central part of all festivities.
3. A sense of togetherness
Celebrations bring people together. They foster community pride and contribute to the beliefs and feelings of belongingness and togetherness. Thus, festivals are a significant time for kids to connect with extended families, neighbors, and community members. Kids learn the importance of unity and solidarity when they actively participate and contribute to making the celebration successful. Ergo, they start believing in the power of existing as a unified bunch and understand the significance of sharing and bonding.
4. Develop social skills
Festivals are a substantial opportunity for people to gather. Kids get a chance to acquaint themselves with people from all walks of life. As a result, children can learn diverse characteristics of social behavior by interacting with the people around them. During these times of social cohesion, kids get a chance to try new activities and interact with new friends. Moreover, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to interchange thoughts, and these interactions will help them develop social skills.
5. The joy of little things in life
Festivals are a great time to promote gratitude practice. Parents should encourage kids to be thankful for little things in life. Kids need to imbibe the quality of appreciating every opportunity for celebration. Gratitude is paramount as it fosters positive emotions, great experiences, and stronger bonds. Festivals make us aware of our blessings, and we should express our gratitude for every little joy in our lives. It is one of the most heartfelt importance of festivals.
6. Creativity, food, and clothes
It’s time to be creative! Kids find avenues to participate in creative activities like decorating, crafting motifs, singing and dancing to folk songs, etc. Furthermore, every festival brings a ‘reason’ to buy and get dressed in traditional clothes. These clothes reflect the earthy identity and communicate the value of cultural traditions. In addition, festivals are a famous means of developing new palates through assorted cuisine. Introduction to occasion-centric food makes kids aware of secularity and appreciate diversity.
7. Bonus: Gifts!!!
It is no secret that gifts bring joy and excitement to children. Materialistic gifts stimulate their senses and make them feel appreciated. Parents need to assure kids that their families acknowledge their interests and desires. Thus, gifting is a meaningful approach to communicating feelings to kids. In addition to being happiness pills, gifts teach generosity and empathy to kids. The act of giving and receiving gifts fosters feelings of care and kindness. Early exposure to these feelings encourages kids to become humans with compassionate qualities.
Key Takeaway
It is vital to keep the traditions alive for generations and teach kids the value of these traditions. With the advent of modern events, the spirit of festivals is getting lost in time. A pre-eminent approach to preserving our traditions, culture, and festivals is to make kids aware of these cultural events and their significance. This exchange of information strengthens their knowledge base and instils necessary values in them. Thus, parents should celebrate and teach the importance of festivals to their kids and involve them in celebratory activities.
