Celebrate!: An Anti-Bias Guide to Enjoying Holidays in Early Childhood Programs [Paperback]

Julie Bisson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002

The attempts made to achieve anti-bias curricula in todays educational environments are often met with roadblocks. One such roadblock is the issue of holidays and the questions related to multicultural diversity and representation of holidays in the curriculum. Since holidays represent an individuals or groups experiences, attempting to understand and rethink our approaches to the recognition of holidays becomes a very prevalent point in the realm of child education.

Celebrate! was designed to present the meanings and purposes of holidays in our lives and the lives of children. Author Julie Bisson looks at the problems with the approaches to handling holidays that can be seen in current curricula. Innovative and important steps are then put forth to help improve the approach to holidays in individual programs and classrooms. Readers are empowered with the skills for making sound decisions regarding holiday programming in various childhood programs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Celebrate! provides the tools for addressing the "holiday question' in new, creative, and effective ways. Holidays matter deeply to people, and this book will help you involve children, families, and teachers in incorporating holiday activities within an anti-bias approach. If you have the courage, commitment, and presistence, this book will help you make it happen! -- Louise Derman-Sparks, Author of Anti-Bias Curriculum

In a beautifully presented, upbeat, easy-to-read format, Julie Bisson discusses the meaning of holidays and the complexities and different perspectives around this topic...[Celebrate!] is a very important addition to the field of anti-bias curriculum. -- Interaction Magazine, Summer, 1998

Julie Bisson tackles one of the most controversial and explosive aspects of multicultural education. She brings clarity and insight to the role of holidays and celebrations in early childhood programs. She answers the complaint "What am I supposed to do instead?" Her suggestions and real-life examples help us envision a new way of celebrating with children and families. Celebrate! is a much needed, long awaited addition to my bookshelf. It should be on every teachers wish list and in every programs resource library. -- Stacey York, author of Roots and Wings and Developing Roots and Wings.

About the Author

Julie Bisson is an early childhood education trainer, community college instructor, and consultant. Ms. Bisson received her M.A. in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. She provides training on subjects ranging from culturally relevant and anti-bias curriculum to holiday curriculum. As a former child care director and preschool teacher, Ms. Bisson has experienced first-hand the issues facing child care practitioners and educators. CONCLUSION: A Final Word

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Redleaf Press (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884834329
• ISBN-13: 978-1884834325
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Ideas to incorporate holidays, May 21, 2000

By 

Colleen Hill - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celebrate!: An Anti-Bias Guide to Enjoying Holidays in Early Childhood Programs (Paperback)

I met Julie at an Anit-Bias class and bought the book. Read the information and use the concepts in my child care program. I also have passed it onto the local School District. I have recommended it to other providers and teachers. It makes you consider how to deal with the different holidays while including all the families in your child care program.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource, August 27, 2005

By 

Angela R. Root - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celebrate!: An Anti-Bias Guide to Enjoying Holidays in Early Childhood Programs (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful resource for childcare centers and schools. We used it as a guide to develop a new holiday policy in our program. The author discusses the importance in recognizing and celebrating culture and tradition in all families, as well as outline why. She also discusses how children respond to holidays developmentally.

I highly recommend it to any center or school that is looking to revise or develop a holiday policy.