In Australia, schools have their longest break of about 6 weeks in Dec-Jan as we approach Christmas. This is a time when we also celebrate the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago.
It's a time for holidays, religious observance for some, special food, music and in many cases, the exchange of gifts. Even if you don't have any religious conviction, most people look forward to holiday seasons as a special time to catch up with family and friends. But hopefully many teachers and parents will consider the deeper meaning of Christmas.
1. Sharing story through
songs & music
Storytelling, is at the very centre of most Christmas gatherings. And music has a special place in our 'storytelling'. Whether religious or secular, music and storytelling are often intertwined.
As a
child, I grew up in a house where music was sung and played often. This
included lots of popular ballads, country, blues and pop. When we went for our annual holidays at the Lake Macquarie, singing was never far from our gatherings. On hot summer afternoons at my grandparents’ home at Wangi Wangi we would swim. But after it, we would end up with community singing
on the
front verandah of my grandparents' house. My father would take his accordion onto the verandah and ask my mother or sister Dianne to sing. Like a magnet, people would emerge from their tents to join in the celebration. At times 50-80 people would come out of
their tents and caravans to join us in my grandparents front yard.
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| Above: My parents performing in a community concert |
As well, as traditional Christmas carols like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Silent Night" they would sing popular music that usually had a strong sense of story.
2. Some examples of books to share with a Christmas theme
Books
about Christian traditions have
been the focus of hundreds of different titles some are closely centred
on the
Christian message, others not so much. But the Bible's account of the
baby Jesus born in a manger in a humble barn is at the very centre of
Christmas celebrations for many.
In our schools during the Christmas season, we often share stories with our students that have a Christmas theme. As a teacher I always found time for the sharing of the Christmas story as well as some stories with a 'twist' like the Dr Seuss
classic Could the Grinch who hated Christmas 'steal it' so that it couldn't occur? This classic and well known Dr Seuss book, takes a different look at the meaning of Christmas.
'The Jolly Christmas Postman' by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
"It's Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman is delivering greetings to various fairy-tale characters - there's a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called 'Beware' for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for hospitalised Humpty Dumpty and three more surprise envelopes containing letters, cards, etc."
'The Christmas Rose' by Wendy Blaxland & illustrated by Lucy Hennessy
The fields near Bethlehem are filled with great joy when angels appear telling of the birth of a very special baby. Madelon’s uncle, his men, and the magnificent kings riding on camels all have gifts for the Saviour. But Madelon has nothing. What could she possibly give him? This version of the Christmas story uses the efforts of a small child to follow others to see the Christ Child. A beautiful illustration of those who would spend great effort to come and adore Him.
The rich and evocative oil paintings by fine artist Lucy Hennessy are stunning and in their muted softness leaves the reader to imagine the scene in all of its mystery and richness.
'The Christmas Promise' by Alison Mitchell and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
A long, long time ago so long that it's hard to imagine God promised a new King. He wasn't any ordinary king, like the ones we see on TV or in books. He would be different. He would be a new King; a rescuing King; a forever King!
I love the books in this series titled "Tell the Truth". Like all of the books in the series, it tells the Christmas story in a simple way that children can grasp, while remaining true to the Bible's narrative. The book will help preschool children discover how the Bible explains how God kept His Christmas Promise.
The wonderful illustrations by Catalina Echeverri are also faithful and consistent with the Bible-centered story-telling of Alison Mitchell. Together, they make this a book that both parents and children will love.
'The Christmas Book', written and illustrated by Dick Bruna. Bruna's delightful and simple telling of the nativity story is special. He manages to tell the greatest story ever told with his typical simplicity. This one is suitable even for preschool children.
'Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale' by Martin Waddell & illustrated by Jason Cockcroft
beneath the star's light...
...a Little One came for the world.
First kind Ox welcomes Old Dog, then Stray Cat, Small Mouse, Tired Donkey, and finally the baby Jesus into his stable on the first Christmas night. Delightful story that tells of the momentous event.
'A Baby Born in Bethlehem',
Martha Whitmore Hickman's retelling is based on the gospels of Luke
and Matthew. It begins with the revelation to Mary that she will have a
child who will be the son of God and ends with the visit of the Wise
Men. The text emphasizes the joy of Jesus' birth. Giulliano Ferri's
pencil and watercolour illustrations contribute to making this a great
book for four to eight year olds.
'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'
by Barbara Robinsion . This book tells the story of how one of the "worst Kids" in the world finds out
about the real Christmas story for the first time as he takes part in
the church Christmas pageant. The story itself is very funny but it
also manages to communicate the Christian message accurately. 'The Baby Who Changed the World' by Sheryl Ann Crawford, Sonya Wilson (Illustrator). In this imaginative retelling of the Christmas story, the animals get together and discuss the approaching arrival of a new baby that some say will grow up to be a strong and powerful King. When Mary and Joseph enter the picture and the events of the true Christmas story unfold!
'The Christmas Story: According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke from the King James Version' by
Gennadii Spirin (Illustrator). This telling of the Christmas story
begins with Mary's meeting with the angel Gabriel then proceeds to the
birth of baby Jesus in a stable, the visit of the shepherds and the
three wise men. Spirin's Orthodox Christian faith is reflected in the
wonderful art that makes this a special retelling of the story of Jesus
(although not all will find the images match their idea of what Jesus
might have looked like).
3. Sharing family
anecdotes & stories that enrich children's knowledge of the past (BUT avoid controversial topics!).
Another
wonderful thing
about holiday seasons is that you have time to sit with our children and
share
the events of the year, and perhaps those we shared with family and friends in years past. "Can you remember the time when we egged Mr Smith's car"? These build children's
knowledge of the family and the world, as well as their own ability to
share
stories. "Tell us the story about the time you got lost in the bush
Dad".
"What was it like going to school when you were a kid
Mum?" "What was the funniest thing that happened at school this
year"? "Tell us another story Grandad from when you were a kid". As you
share your own stories as parents, you help to build family traditions,
as well as teaching them how to tell stories themselves.
4. Engage your children
in preparations
Having
time to do things
with your children as you prepare for a time like Christmas will often
create
those 'spaces' where things can be shared as we make the preparations. Get your children to help decorate the
Christmas
tree. This isn't just for fun or to fill in time, it allows space and time to share
stories and for your children to become better storytellers themselves.
In the case of parents, you might share stories of the type "I remember
when...".
"Do you know where this Christmas decoration came from?" "Do you
remember when you made this silver star"? Or perhaps, while you're
getting your children to
help make some decorations you can simply share jokes and anecdotes, or
reminisce.
A special time in our home is
decorating the tree each year with decorations that our children made
over 30 years
ago! Looking at precious decorations is a great story telling event. "Do you remember who
made this?" "Did you know that this
decoration was on my mother's tree". Stories will flow!
5. Get children involved
in using 'procedural texts'
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One
of our family's most treasured
traditions is the making of the Christmas pudding. As a
child, my grandparents involved my sister and me in this activity. This
was
always one of our special family events at Christmas. I implemented the
same
tradition with my daughters, and more recently, my grandchildren. As
well as
the fun we have as we prepare for the cooking, we have to follow the
recipe, share stories, and lick the bowls. This is a great language
event as stories and anecdotes just flow.
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6. Involve your children
in the making of presents, cards and gifts
Some of my favourite
presents as a parent have been the gifts that my children and grandchildren made for me.
It's fun to involve children as we make preparations for the exchange of
gifts. This might be making yummy food, lollies or snacks to share with
neighbours. Once again, there are recipes to follow, stories to tell, gift labels to write, and much
more. Card making is just one fun non-food way to link literacy activities to
holiday seasons. As well, children might make a book to give to their
grandparents or their teacher. Making items for family and friends to hang on
their tree is a great literacy activity already mentioned above.
Summing up
Literacy and storytelling
are implicated in pretty much all aspects of life. Holiday seasons are just one
context that offer opportunities to ground storytelling in 'real' life. As we
engage with our children every day, there are numerous ways that the stories we
share can help to build their knowledge and their proficiency as users of
language whether in spoken or written form. As well, we can develop a shared history that binds family members together.
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