The kindergartners did a bit of “traveling around the world” to learn how Christmas is celebrated in Italy, Germany and France. They learned about the customs and traditions, did a Christmas craft, and enjoyed a snack from each country.
In Italy, good boys and girls look for Befana, an old woman who rides a broomstick, to bring gifts. Legend has it that when the Three Kings came to her house and asked her to come with them to search for the newborn king, she told them she was too busy sweeping her house and would join them when she was finished. She is still searching for baby Jesus, so she leaves a gift in every good child’s home on the eve of the Epiphany. Because the Nativity scene is so important in Italy, each kindergartner made a presepio, an Italian manger scene. For snack they had pizzelles, a traditional Italian dessert.
In Germany, either St. Nikolaus, Kris Kringle, Christkindl or Weihnachtsmann delivers presents, depending on which part of Germany one lives in. Because gingerbread is important in this country, the students decorated foam gingerbread people and had gingerbread cookies for snack.
The French children leave their shoes by the fireplace in hopes that le petit Jesus (little Jesus) or Pere Noel (Father Christmas) will fill them with gifts. Each child made a “Noel” hanging banner and snacked on French cookies (petit beurre biscuits).
From all the kindergartners and Mrs. Miller…
“Buon Natale! Fröhliche Weihnachten! Joyeux Noël! Merry Christmas!”