Learning about Ramadan
This time of year gives us the opportunity to share with the children about the holy month of Ramadan. Families and teachers visited many classrooms, shared books, and had discussions.
From the classrooms. Lightly edited.
Hummingbirds
The Hummingbirds class welcomed Sunshine Teacher Jamillah. She came and shared about the month of Ramadan. Jamillah named some members of the PIC community who observe Ramadan to demonstrate that Ramadan is a month that is observed by many people. She then read three books to our class and invited the children's comments and questions. We learned what families do during Ramadan, how they might break their fast, and why they observe Ramadan. Our children were most excited to eat the dates that Jamillah brought, to bring to life the kinds of foods she eats when breaking her fast.
Chipmunks and Leapfrogs
In the Chipmunks and the Leapfrogs room a parent came in to read The Gift of Ramadan. Two other parents came into the classroom to teach the children more about Ramadan. All the children were given a special goody bag with treats and a date, which is a fruit that is used to break the fast during Ramadan.
Butterflies
Butterflies Teacher Dieynaba described how she observes Ramadan with her family and showed the children some of the foods she eats during this special time. She also brought in dates for snack time, the most popular food for breaking fast during Ramadan!
"One of our favorite books to read during Ramadan is Yafa and Fatima: Shalom and Salaam by Fawzia Gilani. This beautiful folktale, which has both Jewish and Arab origins, tells the story of two best friends, one Jewish and one Muslim, who support each other through hard times. It teaches valuable lessons about solidarity, kindness, and empathy, which are the heart of Ramadan.
"We also read Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr by Sarah Khan. Through these stories, we learned about different traditions, celebrations, and the importance of caring for others.
"It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to ask questions, make connections, and appreciate the diverse traditions that make our community special! 🌙✨"