STLMoms Parents As Teachers Tip - Creating Strong Family Bonds With Holiday Traditions

Twinkling lights and sweet treats are just part of the magical holiday season. Family is at the heart of the holidays with plenty of opportunities for making happy, lasting memories. One way to do this is by creating family traditions. The National Center for Parents as Teachers suggests teaching your children cultural holiday traditions from your heritage and showing them how to embrace new traditions to bring you together at the holidays. Here are some ways to get started:

* DO A LITTLE RESEARCH. Learn about the special holiday traditions of your cultural background…what you find might surprise you!

* SHARE WITH OTHERS. Look for opportunities for your child to participate in holiday traditions of other cultures, and to share their own holiday traditions with peers. This teaches tolerance and mutual respect, and can open an interesting window on the world.


* MAKE SPECIAL FOOD. Start making a special traditional dish of your culture and your child will look forward to that holiday for years to come.

* DECORATE TOGETHER. Make seasonal decorations together with your child and decorate your home with them.

* TELL A STORY. Learn some holiday folk tales from your culture and tell them to your child.

* SHARE HISTORY. Tell your child what the holiday means for the people of your culture, or how the holiday has been celebrated throughout history.

* LOOK AT PICTURES. Make an album of family pictures illustrating cultural holiday traditions. Look at it often with your children, especially before each holiday season, so they can see how they've grown over the years.

* LISTEN TO MUSIC. Play holiday music in the car when driving to the store, day-care facility or while gazing at the holiday lights. Sing along with your child and share stories about holiday songs that are special to you.

For more parenting tips like these, visit www.ParentsAsTeachers.org.