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Introduction
Festivals have been an integral part of every culture and civilization since time immemorial. They carry forward rich traditions and instil cultural and moral values in the younger generation. For children, festivals beyond being fun-filled occasions, hold tremendous significance in terms of social, emotional and intellectual development.
In the modern fast-paced world where nostalgia is fast fading away, it is essential that the essence and teachings of festivals are passed on to kids. This article explores the multifarious importance of festivals in a child’s life covering various developmental aspects.
Importance of festivals & their backstories
Every festival carries profound historical and cultural significance embedded in folklore and mythology. Exposing kids to the deep-rooted backstories of festivals helps foster cultural awareness and curiosity. Narrating folktales associated with festivals piques children’s interest in tradition and ignites their imagination. For instance, narrating the legend of Lord Krishna stealing butter during Makar Sankranti inculcates the moral values of sharing and caring. Retelling festival legends hands down rich traditions and reinforces cultural roots in children.
The feeling of togetherness
Festivals bring communities and neighbourhoods together, overcoming barriers of class, caste and religion. They give kids a realisation of the power of unity. Participating in festive preparations like decorating streets, and homes or organising community lunches and dinners during festivals allows children to feel a sense of belonging. Working side by side with family, friends and community instils the pleasure of collaboration and teamwork in them from a young age.
The joy of little things in life
Festivals cultivate an attitude of gratitude and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures in children. Thanking God for the year’s harvest during Lohri or praying for happiness and prosperity ahead on Diwali/New Year teaches kids to find joy in small joys. Experiencing cheerfulness, mirth and merriment through fun activities like Rangoli-making and bursting crackers on festivals enables children to de-stress and unwind from daily mundane routines.
Family Bonding
Festivals give families an opportunity to bond over preparations for celebrations. Kids get to actively participate in cooking favourite dishes, crafting gifts, or decorating homes with parents and grandparents. Spending quality time together in festive fervour helps strengthen the familial bond multifold. Children glean the values of togetherness, sacrifice and care for one another through closely-knit interactions during festivals.
The Value of Sharing
Most festivals revolve around the ethos of giving through acts like donating food, clothes or toys. Kids intrinsically imbibe the moral of sharing joy with less fortunate ones by distributing sweets or gifts at certain festivals. Experiencing the selflessness of helping the needy inculcates compassion from a very young age in children. Such experiences enable them to feel gratitude for their privileges while emerging as caring global citizens.
Develop social skills
Festivals provide ample prospects for kids to mingle with relatives, friends and the community at large. This interaction assists children in opening up, boosts confidence and improves communication abilities. Attending Durga Pooja pandals or Christmas carnivals with enthusiastic crowds gives them a safe atmosphere to learn interpersonal skills. Gradually they are able to strike up conversations or participate in events without inhibition which facilitates overall development.
Knowing one’s culture
Festivals give children insights into indigenous traditions, arts, literature, cuisine and cultural practices prevalent in society. Understanding cultural nuances through partaking in rituals, dressing up in traditional attire, singing folk songs and relishing community feasts makes kids proud of their roots and heritage. Realising festive sentiments fosters cultural consciousness and helps develop cultural sensitivity in children.
Creativity, food, and clothes
Festivals encourage creative expression in kids through crafting activities like making Diwali diyas or colourful Rakhis. Experiments with cooking native delicacies on occasion nurture culinary skills and adventure in tastes. Traditional ethnic apparel worn during festivals ingrains the richness of cultural fabric in kids. Overall festivals act as a creative playground fostering imagination, innovative thinking and aesthetic talents in children.
Conclusion
To conclude, festivals beyond festivities play a pivotal role in a child’s mental, emotional and social development. CBSE schools in Pune teach invaluable life lessons on culture, traditions, relationships, humanitarian values and more in a fun and interactive way. Therefore, instilling the significance of various festivals through active participation right from a tender age has immense life-long positive impacts on children. Schools in Pune India, can play a significant role in this by integrating cultural celebrations into their curriculum, helping children connect with their roots and develop a deeper understanding of their traditions.
