Today's Stories
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Corduroy's Christmas Surprise
by Don Freeman

Clifford's First Christmas
by Norman Bridwell

Eight Candles to Light:
A Chanukah Story
by Jonny Zucker

Eight Days of Hanukkah
by Harriet Ziefert

My First Kwanzaa
by Karen Katz

Seven Spools of Thread:
A Kwanzaa Story
by Angela Shelf Medearis

Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights
by Dianne M. MacMillan

Messy Bessey's Holidays by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

Santasaurus
by Niamh Sharkey

Spot's First Christmas
by Eric Hill

Bear Stays Up For Christmas
by Karma Wilson

Christmas Baby
by Margaret Miller

Christmas in the Barn
by Margaret Wise Brown

Involve toddlers in holiday preparations, like shopping for foods and gifts and putting up decorations.
Talk about the coming celebrations and play-act happenings for family or community ceremonies.
Encourage them to be a part of appropriate activities, but be aware that young children may become overwhelmed with the sights, sounds, and large crowds involved with festivities. Help them focus on smaller components of the celebration. They will absorb and understand much of the broader traditions, but not in the same way as older children and adults do. That will come later.
Many cultures celebrate holidays in December. Use this opportunity and festive atmosphere to learn more about other people in your community and the holidays they celebrate.

Songs & Nursery Rhymes

Hanukkah Candles
(tune of Ten Little Indians)

One little, two little,
three little candles,
Four little, five little, six little candles,
Seven little, eight little Hanukkah candles,
Shining on my menorah.

Eight little, seven little, six little candles,
Five little, four little, three little candles,
Two little, one little Hanukkah candle,
Shining on my menorah.

Diwali Candles
(tune of Ten Little Indians)

One little, two little, three little candles,
Four little, five little, six little candles,
Seven little, eight little candles for diwali,
A festival of lights.

Eight little, seven little, six little candles,
Five little, four little, three little candles,
Two little, one little candle for diwali,
A festival of lights.

The 7 Days of Kwanzaa
(tune of 12 Days of Christmas)

On the first day of Kwanzaa, my family gave to me, a cup for our family unity.
On the second day of Kwanzaa, my family gave to me, two woven mats and a cup for our family unity...

repeat the song, adding the following lines
3rd - three special flags
4th - four kinds of fruit
5th - five ears of corn
6th - six handmade gifts
7th - seven kinara candles

Looking for Santa
We are looking for Santa
(circle arms in front of belly-laugh “Ho-ho-ho”)
Is the North Pole that way? Or that way?
(point in several directions)
We will walk down the sidewalk,
(pat hands on knees)
Don’t fall on the ice!
(hands slide off knees)
We will swim across the ocean,
(make swimming motion)
Climb up a snow bank,
(climbing motion)
And slide down the other side.
(hands slide from knees down to floor)

I see a little house.
(hands shade eyes)
Knock on the door. Knock, knock, knock.
(knocking motion)
And there’s Santa Claus!
(arms circle big belly and laugh “Ho, ho, ho”)
Say, “Hi, Santa!”
(call out and wave)
Wait! He says we should hurry home to bed so he can come visit us.
Say, “Bye, Santa!”
(call out and wave)

We’d better run!
(pat knees quickly)
Climb up that snow bank
(fast climbing motion) and run!
Slide down the other side
(fast sliding motion) and run!
Swim across the ocean
(fast swimming motion) and run!
Careful not to fall on the ice.

Run in the house and shut the door.
(clap hands)
Jump in bed and go to sleep.
(lay cheek on hands)
Merry Christmas, Santa, and good night.
(close eyes and snore)