Dr. Donna's Review

THEMES & OTHER THINGS

Young children who love Barney, Baby Bop and BJ will love this happy Christmas tale that combines holiday traditions, music, dancing and a visit to Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole. Sharing the joys and traditions of the holiday with family and friends is the main theme that emerges from the story.

TALKING POINTS & ACTIVITY IDEAS

Traditions: Watching the film with children provides an opportunity to introduce them to the concept of “traditions.” Learning about traditions such as decorating homes and Christmas trees, yule logs, caroling, Santa Claus and gift giving helps children learn history, culture, and values.

• Help children explore Christmas traditions around the world through books and websites.
• Talk about your own family traditions. What does your family do every year? Why is it so special to repeat these traditions year after year. Make a book about family traditions that children can illustrate.
• Interview grandparents to find out what traditions were important when they were children. How have things changed?

Giving and sharing: Help children appreciate the idea that the season is about sharing with others.

• Find a local program that provides gifts to underprivileged children. Allow children to help select and wrap gifts to contribute.
• Have children write a letter to Santa Claus in which they ask for gifts for the world such as a healthy planet, enough food so no one goes hungry, peace everywhere,

Singing together: Holiday music is an important part of the season. Learn as many of the traditional songs, both secular and religious, as you can and sing them with children.

• Barney and his friends had fun singing “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Learn the song with your children, sing it together and for other members of the family. The song is fun and it also helps to develop the child’s memory skills.
• Many Christmas carols have rich histories. Read and share these stories from websites such as: www.worldofchristmas.net

Other holidays, Other traditions: Talk with children about the many multi-cultural holidays that occur in December. In addition to Christmas, December is the month for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Three Kings Day, St. Lucia Day, Ramadan, Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Nicholas Day. Check out these different holidays, talk with children about them and help them understand that this country has many cultures celebrating their own special holidays with their own special traditions.

BOOK SUGGESTIONS

These books are recommended to encourage you to read to and with children about the themes from the movie.

Celebrate Christmas with Carols, Presents and Peace by Deborah Heligman. From the National Geographic Holidays Around the World series.

The Story of Christmas Written by Barbara Cooney

Chita’s Christmas Tree Written by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

The Farolitos of Christmas Written by Rudolfo Anaya. Illustrated by Edward Gonzales