During the week of the 24th at ChildSol Creche and Pre-School, our theme My Country gave us the perfect opportunity to celebrate Heritage in a way that was colourful, meaningful, and filled with learning. Children arrived dressed in their cultural attire, proudly wearing small headwraps, patterned shirts, embroidered dresses, and traditional scarves. Our schools instantly felt like a joyful parade of identity and belonging. What unfolded was a rich celebration of heritage, where every child’s story and background were valued, while new friendships and understandings were nurtured.
Why we celebrated heritage with young children
For our young learners, heritage was not just about national pride but also about discovering who they were and how they connected to others. When children shared their home traditions in the classroom, it deepened their sense of belonging and showed them that their identity mattered. At the same time, it sparked curiosity about the lives of others. By listening to a classmate explain the meaning of a pattern or joining in a song in another language, the children began to develop empathy, respect, and an openness that would serve them throughout their lives.
Heritage celebrations also made learning more engaging. Colours, textures, songs, and stories stimulated the senses and created memories that lasted far longer than abstract lessons. For us at ChildSol, it was important that this celebration also reflected our values of safety, playful learning, kreative fun, and community focus. Everything was designed to be joyful, hands-on, and respectful.
Preparing for the celebration
To make the theme successful, we began by inviting families to share an outfit, a recipe, a story, or even a short recording from home. This encouraged parents and grandparents to become active partners in the learning journey. Teachers prepared the classrooms with storybooks from different cultures, a wall map to mark family origins, and colourful displays ready for artwork. Care was also taken to ensure the activities were safe and age-appropriate, with guidelines around clothing, food allergies, and photo permissions. This preparation laid the foundation for a celebration that was as inclusive as it was meaningful.
Dress-Up Day: small clothes, big pride
The highlight was Dress-Up Day. From the moment children walked through the doors, the atmosphere was alive with excitement. A little boy proudly showed off his shweshwe shirt, pointing out the colours as his grandmother explained their meaning. Another child, wearing a beaded headband, delighted in seeing her reflection before eagerly showing her classmates the patterns. Groups of children practised greetings in more than one language, laughing at the new sounds while learning to appreciate how differently words could feel.
Teachers used these moments not just as costume displays but as opportunities for real conversation. During circle time, children were asked simple questions about their outfits and traditions. The answers often led to wonderful storytelling moments, where a child would speak about a family song or a favourite food. These conversations gave the children confidence to express themselves and encouraged their classmates to listen and learn.
Learning through play
Throughout the celebration, we wove heritage into daily play and learning. Story and song sessions introduced folktales and greetings from different cultures, with music encouraging even the shyest children to join in. In the art corner, children painted and stamped their own flags, experimenting with shapes and colours while talking about what those designs meant. A dedicated role-play area was filled with scarves, hats, and safe props, inviting imaginative play where children could act out family traditions or invent stories inspired by what they had seen.
Food exploration was another favourite. With consent from parents, children had the chance to taste or smell different foods — a spoon of soft porridge, a sweet dried fruit, or the aroma of spices. For those unable to taste, sensory trays provided the same experience through touch and smell. Movement and dance sessions added energy to the week, as children followed simple rhythms and steps inspired by traditional dances. The activities were short, fun, and always inclusive, ensuring every child felt able to join in.
Families and community
What made this celebration especially powerful was the involvement of families. Parents sent in outfits and recipes, and some even joined us to tell short stories or demonstrate traditions. One grandparent showed how to weave a simple pattern, while another explained a family celebration. Their presence reinforced to the children that their culture was not only important at school but also cherished at home. A digital community cookbook was also created, where families shared recipes that children could help prepare — a reminder that culture often comes alive in the kitchen.
Connecting to our values
Every part of the celebration reflected ChildSol’s values. Safety came first in every activity, from ensuring clothing was comfortable to checking food ingredients carefully. Playful learning was at the heart of it all, whether through song, dance, or storytelling. Children were encouraged to express themselves in kreatively fun ways, from painting flags to role-playing traditional roles. Teamwork and community shone through as older children helped younger ones dress up or explain an activity. The confidence gained from sharing a family song or wearing a special outfit built empowerment and independence, while the involvement of families highlighted the importance of community focus.
What the children gained
By the end of the theme, the children had gained much more than a few fun memories. They had practised new words and greetings, developed pride in their identities, and shown respect for one another’s traditions. Through crafts and dressing up, their fine motor skills improved, and through role play and group activities, they strengthened social skills such as sharing and turn-taking. Most importantly, they left with an appreciation that their culture — and the culture of their classmates — was something to be celebrated.
Closing reflections
Heritage celebrations reminded us that learning about “my country” begins in the everyday experiences of children. It was found in the outfits they proudly wore, the songs they sang with family, and the stories they shared at the table. When children saw their traditions respected alongside those of their peers, they grew into confident, curious individuals who valued diversity.
We were deeply grateful to every family who contributed clothing, recipes, and stories to enrich this theme. Your involvement made the celebration vibrant, meaningful, and memorable. Together, we showed our children that heritage is not just something to look back on but something to live and share every day.