Our School Age group 2 children are constantly engaging in activities to recognise diversity and cultural awareness within our programs. To mark the beginning of Hanukkah, the group decided to make a Menorah with plastic bottles. First, we had a discussion on the relevance and reason why Hanukkah is celebrated. As we started the discussion, Lucy said, “Oh I know it is celebrated for 8 days because our teacher was talking about it in school.” The children were then asked, “How many candles are on a Menorah?” Thomas K. answered, “I think there are 8.” Then Wyatt added, “I think there are 9 candles on a Menorah.” Then we counted and discovered that there are 9 candles on a Menorah. The plastic bottles were cut to different lengths and then the children painted the inside with silver acrylic paint. As the children were painting Ella said, “I know why there are 9 candles, it is because when the Jewish people had to go to this place there were no lights and they found enough oil to give them light for 9 nights.” Amanda then added, “It is also called the festival of lights.” Then Ethan intervened and said, “Oh just like the Diwali celebration which is also the festival of lights.” Arron then added, “My other daycare teacher is Jewish and she celebrates Hanukkah.” The children then painted the outside of the bottles with some gold paint and added strips of blue paper for some color. Emmett then asked, “What are we going to use for the flames of the candles?” Lucy answered, “We can use yellow paper.” So, with the help of some of the other children Emmett cut and hot glued the paper flames onto the painted bottles. Austin then asked, “How are we going to make the candles into a Menorah.” So, Will B. and Ethan wrapped white paper onto a log to make the base of the Menorah. Then Emmett and Amanda worked together to hot glue the candles onto the log to finish the Menorah. Throughout this activity the children were able to work together and share ideas with each other. They built skills in acceptance and practice diversity in our community.
