Christmas – Christmas is a popular holiday celebrated in many countries, including the United States. It is a time to spend with family, spread love, and celebrate joy.

Diwali – Diwali is a five-day festival celebrated in India. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Hanukkah – Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration in the Jewish tradition. It remembers a time when there was only enough oil in the temple's menorah to last one day, but the oil lasted for eight days.

Kwanzaa – Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. It honors African-American culture and heritage and ends with a large community feast called Karamu.

Las Posadas – Las Posadas is a holiday celebrated in Mexico, the United States, and many Latin American countries. It lasts from December 16th to December 24th. During the celebration, people break festive pinatas filled with candy.

Saint Lucia Day – Saint Lucia Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Scandinavia around the winter solstice. It honors Saint Lucia, a Christian martyr, and marks the beginning of the holiday season.

Saint Stephen’s Day – Celebrated on December 26th, Saint Stephen’s Day is part of Christmas celebrations in some European countries and Spain. It honors Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Bodhi Day – Celebrated on December 8th, Bodhi Day is an important holiday for millions of Buddhists. It’s a day for meditation and thinking about one’s place in the world.

Boxing Day – This holiday, celebrated on December 26th, started in the United Kingdom. It was originally a day to give to those in need after Christmas. Today, people in the UK and other countries celebrate Boxing Day by spending time with family and friends.

Lunar New Year – Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in Asian countries. It marks the start of the new year and celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring. In China the Lunar New Year is celebrated with a Spring Festival.

Infant-Science through my senses-sensory exploration, observing/building, meaning by looking, listening, smelling, tasting and touching

Young Toddler-Celebrations, diverse families, and traditions

Older Toddler 3's and 4's-My own rituals, diverse families, celebrations that light up my life, and the music in me

The Judy Center at SES was busy helping out at different events in November! The staff joined in at SES Conferences, Make A Difference Day, the 1st SECAC Resource Fair, and the SES Title I Reading Night. Outreach is an important part of what the Judy Center does. The staff shares information about free services and signs up new families with young children who they meet at these events. They also help connect families to other services they might need. We concluded the month with Thanksgiving feasts for all four playgroups. Mrs. Clark coordinated with parents, who brought in all different types of yummy food to share. Thank you to all who participated. It was so much fun!

Judy Center programming is developed with funds from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood.