Belonging, Wonder, and the World Beyond: The Power of Cultural Celebrations in ECE
Imagine your child arriving at our preschool, the doors opening to a burst of colour, curious smells, excited chatter, and the sight of children from all around the world gathered together. They’re not just playing; they’re exploring, learning, belonging. That feeling is what makes cultural celebrations so powerful.
Growing a Sense of Belonging
When we honour a festival from a culture represented in our whānau, children who carry that heritage feel seen—and children who don’t get to learn something new. Research shows that when young children see their cultural traditions recognised in their learning environment, they gain stronger identity and self-esteem.
At Sugartree Lane, this means your child might join their friends in making rangoli patterns or listening to a story from another culture—and feel a genuine part of the community.
Empathy, Curiosity and Respect
Right from the early years, children begin building attitudes about people who are different from them. Studies of early childhood social-emotional development highlight that cultural beliefs, values and norms shape children’s social skills, emotional regulation and their openness to diversity.
When your child learns about Diwali, Lunar New Year, or another celebration, they’re not just doing an activity—they’re stepping into someone else’s world, asking questions, making connections. That builds empathy, curiosity and respect. As one blog put it: “Cultural celebrations in preschool are a powerful tool for teaching inclusivity.”
Building a Global View from Day One
We live in a richly diverse country, and childhood is the perfect time to begin embracing that world. Early exposure to different cultures helps children develop a global perspective—knowing there are many ways to live, think and celebrate. Your child isn’t just learning colours and shapes, they’re learning that the world is big, diverse and full of wonder. This sets a foundation for lifelong learning, openness and confidence.
Shared Celebration = Stronger Community
When we gather as a centre to celebrate, we’re creating shared experiences. Occasions of celebration foster social cohesion—bringing children, teachers and families together, bridging differences, building trust. Research on cultural festivals shows that they “play a crucial role in fostering social cohesion … by facilitating intercultural dialogue and interaction.”
For you as a parent, this means you’re part of a connected community. When you walk through our door during a celebration, you’ll see smiling faces, children sharing stories, families joining in—and you’ll feel it. The sense of “we belong here” becomes stronger.
Creative Learning in Authentic Contexts
Celebrations are not just “extras”, they are meaningful learning opportunities. When children roll out potato‐filled paratha, craft a rangoli, listen to traditional music, they are actively exploring culture, language, tradition, texture and taste. These experiences give depth to their learning, much more than worksheets or passive observation.
As one author notes: “Celebrating festivals from around the world … is more than just decorating classrooms or trying new foods … it’s about embracing diversity, fostering a sense of global community, and helping children build positive views of different cultures.”
At Sugartree Lane your child will feel that excitement: exploring their senses, making friends, discovering new traditions, and you’ll get to see them sparkle in that moment.
What This Means for Your Family
You’ll see your child light up, not just in play, but in connection, with culture, with others, with the meaning behind what they do.
You’ll know your child is part of a preschool that values them, where their heritage is visible and respected.
You’ll watch your child grow a worldview: they’ll say things like “Did you know…” or “In my friend’s country…” and you’ll smile because you know they’re learning openness and respect.
Our community will feel richer: families sharing traditions, elders telling stories, children dancing, friends discovering each other’s worlds. You’re part of that.
In Summary
Celebrating cultural events in an early childhood setting isn’t just fun—it’s foundational. It helps children feel seen, connect with others, explore the world, and build strong social and emotional roots. At Sugartree Lane, when we turned our centre into the glow of Diwali lights (and soon many more festivals), we weren’t doing decorations—we were planting seeds: seeds of belonging, curiosity, kindness, global mindedness.
Because for your child, and for our community, diversity isn’t a checkbox. It’s a living, joyful part of every day. And it matters.
