Nancy Stewart

Holi is the Hindu Festival of Colors. Held over several days in early March, the festival celebrates the coming of spring and is known for 'merrymaking and mischief.' This year, (2008) Holi is celebrated around March 22nd. This song is intended simply as an introduction to the holiday, and not meant to be comprehensive. Traditionally, on the third day, friends and neighbors gather together in the streets and colored powders are thrown in the air and then smeared on faces and bodies. More recently, safer and more environmentally friendly ways have been found to celebrate. For this song, children will simply be introduced to the holiday, and celebrate with colors. Read through the suggestions below, and use which ever ideas seem appropriate for your age group. Traditions from other cultures offer us a wonderful way to learn about each other, and in a way that children can appreciate and understand. Before You Use this Song' SHOW children on a map or globe, where India is. CHECK OUT an easy-nonfiction book from your library on India, and share some of the pictures and information with the children, depending on their ages. ASK children if anyone has a relative who comes from India. You might ask that relative to come in and share their memories of Holi celebrations. Ideas for Using this Song 1. Use sign language for the words in green , below. Depending on the ages of your children, you can use just a few or all of the suggested sign. Sign descriptions can be found at the bottom of the page. 2. Give children scarves, and have them dance to the song. Talk about the colors we see in spring 3. After you sing the song a couple of times, have the children make up a simple dance to do with the scarves. For example, they might dance in a circle waving the scarves during the verses, and kneel down and wave the scarves like rainbows during the chorus.

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