Festivals are more than just dates on a calendar; they are moments of joy, learning, and togetherness. At our preschool, we believe in weaving India’s rich cultural heritage into your child’s early learning journey. Through colourful celebrations and hands-on activities, we introduce toddlers to the values, stories, and traditions that make each festival special.
For little learners, festivals aren’t just fun; they’re also powerful tools for emotional, social, and cognitive development. Let’s walk you through how we celebrate major Indian festivals with your toddlers at Modern School Early Years, Deepali.
1. Raksha Bandhan – Bonds of Love and Respect
Raksha Bandhan is one of our earliest celebrations of the academic year. Toddlers learn about the values of love, care, and protection. We help them make colourful handmade rakhis, which they tie to their classmates, teachers, and sometimes even trees or books, emphasising that the bond of care goes beyond siblings.
Through role-play and storytelling, we introduce them to the idea of standing by those we care about, and respecting one another, regardless of age or gender.
2. Janmashtami – Celebrating Little Krishna
Janmashtami is a favourite among toddlers. Children come dressed as Krishna and Radha, and we recreate scenes from Krishna’s playful childhood. At one of the Best Playschools Near Pitampura, Delhi, we organise activities like flute-making, butter games, and a safe version of the traditional ‘Matki Phod’.
The fun is combined with simple storytelling that teaches values like truth, mischief with kindness, and friendship. The colourful celebration sparks curiosity about mythology and Indian culture.
3. Ganesh Chaturthi – Welcoming Wisdom
For Ganesh Chaturthi, toddlers craft their own eco-friendly Ganeshas using clay, paper, or leaves. We talk about Lord Ganesha as the remover of obstacles and a symbol of wisdom. Children enjoy singing simple aartis and participating in small processions within the school campus.
It’s also an opportunity to introduce the idea of environmental responsibility, especially when discussing the immersion of Ganesha idols.
4. Dussehra – Good Wins Over Evil
Through puppet shows and mini skits, we introduce toddlers to the story of Ramayana and the victory of good over evil. Children dress up as characters from the epic and participate in simple dramatisations that help them understand the importance of honesty, bravery, and righteousness.
The message is always age-appropriate and centered around choosing kindness and truth.
5. Diwali – A Festival of Lights and Joy
Diwali at preschool is a festival of light, both literally and emotionally. Children decorate diyas, create rangolis, and make colourful lanterns. Classrooms are lit up with LED lights, and eco-friendly celebrations are encouraged through “No Crackers” campaigns told through songs and stories.
The emphasis is on the values of family, giving, and gratitude. Our Diwali celebration teaches children that joy multiplies when shared with others.
6. Guru Nanak Jayanti – Kindness and Simplicity
We celebrate the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji with a focus on sharing, honesty, and humility. Toddlers engage in simple langar activities, like helping serve food or packing dry snacks to donate. We introduce the concept of “Seva” (selfless service) and equality in the simplest terms.
Songs and art activities related to the Golden Temple or the “Ik Onkar” symbol are also part of this celebration.
7. Christmas – Magic of Giving
Our classrooms transform into winter wonderlands as we celebrate Christmas. Toddlers decorate a Christmas tree, sing carols, and exchange small handmade gifts as part of a Secret Santa activity. The story of Jesus’ birth is shared through puppetry and picture books, with a focus on love, kindness, and generosity.
And yes, Santa always makes a joyful appearance at the Best Nursery in Pitampura, Delhi, complete with jingle bells and lots of giggles!
8. Lohri / Pongal / Makar Sankranti – Harvest Happiness
These harvest festivals mark the start of a new season. Whether it’s Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, or Makar Sankranti across India, we celebrate the themes of gratitude, warmth, and new beginnings.
Toddlers enjoy activities like kite-making, popcorn craft, or dancing around a symbolic bonfire. We teach them about farmer life, nature, and the joy of harvest in a way that’s engaging and age-appropriate.
9. Holi – Colours of Joy
Holi is the most vibrant festival of the year! Children come in white and participate in a safe, dry organic colour play session. There’s music, dance, and a beautiful explosion of colours (minus the mess).
We also narrate the story of Holika and Prahlad, gently sharing the theme of truth triumphing over evil. Consent is discussed in simple ways: like always asking before applying colour, reinforcing respect for personal space.
10. Eid – Gratitude and Community
For Eid, we introduce children to the values of gratitude, sharing, and compassion. The classroom is decorated with moons and stars, and we teach toddlers a simple greeting, “Eid Mubarak.”
They enjoy storytime about kindness and sharing, followed by a treat of dates and seviyan (vermicelli kheer). We also talk about the idea of helping those in need through age-appropriate language and stories.
Other Celebrations
Apart from these festivals, we also celebrate national holidays and festivals like Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti with our students, helping them instil feelings of patriotism and oneness. Our idea is to help our toddlers embrace the rich diversity of India through celebration.
As one of the Best Nursery Schools in Pitampura, Delhi, we are also open to accommodating requests from parents of varied cultural backgrounds to help us introduce students to newer celebrations and festivities.
