We located Norway on our globe. The children learned Norway is close to the North Pole and very cold. We also learned that Norwegian children usually have snow on Christmas day and the sun shines only a few hours each day.
Saint Lucia Day is a on December 13th. Ask your child how this is celebrated...the oldest daughter dresses in a long white gown with a red belt. She also wears a crown with seven candles on her head.
Santa has many different names because children speak many different languages. The children learned that in Norway the children call Santa 'Julenissen'. As I was reading from the book, one little boy kept saying, "He looks like Santa." and another child responded, "He is. He is just Norwegian!" You gotta love it :-)
Christmas trees in Norway are decorated with ornaments and lights. We also learned that Norwegians like to bring decorations into their homes from nature (a little lesson on things from the mall or outside?) and children enjoy making paper chains (we have a paper chain activity in our art center. If your child's is long, you may be getting a bagful!)
A julenek is a traditional Norwegian decoration made from oats and tied to a pole or tree branch. The julenek is a symbol of hope and good farming. The children also learned it is considered good luck if the birds eat from the julenek. While the children were working on a special project at the tables, I quickly created a julenek. Our julenek is not made from oats but decorative grasses from my yard. It looks pretty close!
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| Julenek |
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| Juleneks |
Grud is Norwegian rice pudding. An almond is hidden in one bowl and whoever finds the almond wins a candy pig! We used vanilla pudding for the children and because of allergies used fruit snacks instead of an almond. It was amazing! Everyone found the hidden surprise but we did not have any candy pigs...maybe next year!
God Jul!
