On the last day of September, the children of the Primrose Schools in Chattanooga participated in the annual Children Around the World Parade. This parade began at all Primrose locations, including the two in Hixson and East Brainerd, shortly after 9/11 to celebrate the differences in all cultures, said Chattanooga Primrose franchise owner Dan Case.
All month long, the curriculum at Primrose Schools focused on the different cultures, animals, sports and people around the world to prepare children for the finale in their learning at this parade. The parking lot of the Primrose School of Hixson was filled with doting parents and relatives, with cameras in hand, to snap shots of their children. Everyone at the school participated, from the infants to the pre-K students. The infants rolled out in strollers, wagons, and were carried by Primrose workers with wreaths of laurel on their heads. Next came the toddlers, toddling across the parking lot with togas on and other traditional Roman dress.
The pre-K group made quite a show with the Chinese dragon they had made during the month that they carried in on poles. The children were dressed in kimonos with conical Asian hats made from paper. The group did several rounds around the parking lot before getting together to sing a song about the Chinese New Year. Another group of young children were dressed like little Dutch boys and girls with yellow “wooden” shoes and hats. They joined hands and sang “The More We Get Together.”
The group of students representing France came out with berets on and carried a palate of colors and paintbrushes as they strolled to “Alouette.” They were followed by children representing Africa who were dressed in long robes with masks they had made. The children of the Germany group sang a traditional German song as they wore green Robin Hood style hats with flowers on them and sparkly paper skirts and paper lederhosen. Then there were the children representing the U.K. These little ones wore kilts and carried homemade bagpipes. The parade ended with the playing of “It’s a Small World.”
Case said he hopes the children use this experience “to understand that there are differences among us all, but we are all human and more alike than different.” This parade allowed 200 Primrose preschoolers from the Chattanooga area to join the more than 30,000 children across the country in celebrating their unique cultures at Primrose locations. Children also used this day to enjoy ethnic food and further embrace the cultures they had learned about. “Children who have an appreciation for other cultures and traditions at an early age develop into caring, generous adults who love their community and respect others,” said Case.
Celebrating cultures is part of Primrose Schools’ Balanced Learning curriculum. The program includes character-building components that teach children the importance of helping others and being involved in the community. In partnership with The Music Class, an award-winning, international music education company, the new Rhythm and Notes music curriculum complemented the Celebrating Cultures event by adding a rich library of music and companion classroom activities, Case said. Founded in 1982, Primrose Schools provide accredited early childhood education and child care services in more than 220 schools in 15 states, he said. “The foundation of Primrose Schools is based on a dedicated and passionate group of early childhood professionals providing high quality education with a balance of learning, character development and play,” Case said.