This year, our nurseries were filled with light, colour, and excitement as we celebrated the beautiful festival of Diwali – the Festival of Lights. Across all three of our nurseries, the children immersed themselves in activities designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a deeper understanding of this joyous cultural celebration.
The magic began with a focus on lights! We turned down the room lights and brought out an array of glowing toys. Our youngest babies were captivated by the shimmering glow sticks and colourful lights, transforming their spaces into enchanting worlds of light and wonder. Dancing, waving glow sticks, and watching the colors illuminate the room brought endless smiles and laughter – a perfect way to embody the spirit of Diwali.
Through these activities, we explored how lights play a central role in Diwali, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. We also linked this exploration to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) by fostering the children’s expressive arts and design skills through movement and play.
Our Diwali-themed tuff trays were a hit! These hands-on sensory play activities allowed the children to explore textures, colours, and patterns while expressing their creativity. From making glittering, scented Diwali-themed playdough to designing their own Diva lamps, every child had the chance to engage in meaningful, open-ended play.
Each child decorated their own Diva lamp to take home, creating a special keepsake that connected nursery activities to family celebrations. This craft activity wasn’t just fun; it also supported the EYFS goal of developing fine motor skills and creativity while encouraging children to learn about cultures and communities beyond their own.
In preschool, we extended learning by discussing what Diwali is and why it is celebrated. Children listened to stories about the festival’s origins and shared how their families celebrate Diwali. These conversations fostered the children’s understanding of the world and their communication and language skills, two key areas of the EYFS.
In the spirit of Diwali, we also celebrated the sense of community that the festival represents. The children enjoyed decorating cards for friends and family who celebrate Diwali and explored intricate Mendhi patterns by decorating hands with creative designs. These activities helped promote personal, social, and emotional development, as the children learned to appreciate and value the traditions of their peers.
Our ever-so-creative chefs treated the children to a culinary adventure with special Diwali-inspired snacks. These delicious treats gave the children an opportunity to try foods enjoyed by families celebrating Diwali, encouraging them to embrace new experiences and develop positive attitudes toward diversity.
Our Diwali celebrations were not only a time for fun and creativity but also a meaningful opportunity to explore cultural traditions and build community spirit. Through these activities, the children enhanced their understanding of the world, developed important skills, and created lasting memories.
We’re proud to bring celebrations like Diwali into our nurseries, helping children grow into empathetic and culturally aware individuals. By weaving these experiences into the EYFS framework, we ensure that every moment of joy is also a moment of learning.
Thank you to all our families who shared their own Diwali traditions with us – you made our celebrations even more special! We look forward to many more festivals and cultural moments that bring us all together.
