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issues about authorisation to celebrate
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:05 pm
by Bettyelaine
Dear Professional,
Two children on our centre having birthdays on the same day, one is Jehovah witness who is not authorised to celebrate birthday or any other celebrations. please advice the best practise
thank you
lydia
Re: issues about authorisation to celebrate
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:12 am
by Lorina
Hi Lydia,
The child who is a Jehovah witness will most probably understand (depending on their age) that they don't celebrate birthdays and other occasions. Don't feel bad as this is part of their culture. They do however celebrate many other occasions with their families and friends. For the child who is having a bday they most probably will bring in a cake to share... During this time you can ask the child who is a Jehovah witness to go into a different room to play for that time. You don't need to make it a big deal.. You can say to the child "this afternoon you are going to help out Miss Amanda (educators name) for a little while..." Then when the celebration is over the child can come back.
It's also a good idea to mention this to the child's parents. You can just explain that another child is celebrating their bday on the same day and you understand that they don't want their child celebrating the occasion so during this time the child will go and help a teacher in the other room. Just to let them know you are respecting their wishes...
Hope this helps,
,
Lorina
Re: issues about authorisation to celebrate
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:54 am
by linsaa fdc
That's fantastic advice Lorina.
The Jehovah Witness children do understand but also let the parents know. Some witness parents don't mind their children having a piece of cake as long as they don't participate in the rest of the birthday, where as others don't want any part of it. Sometimes when the children have to go and help an Educator they feel like they have the better end of the deal and feel important. I had witness children and I got their parents to bring a cake in on any random day so their children could have the experience of sharing something special from home with their friends as well, and that is allowed.
With Easter and Christmas, if the other children are doing that art there is plenty of other fun art the witness children can do at the same time.
Witness children don't miss out at all, its often the adults who don't understand their culture who put a lot of emphasis on it.
Have fun on the day
linsaa fdc 
Re: issues about authorisation to celebrate
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:28 pm
by Bettyelaine
Thanks you ever so much Lorina, that was very helpful indeed.
Lydia from BEK