Activities, Other, Wellness,

How To Get Your Child Involved in Ganesh Chaturthi Festivities

Jul 8, 2022 | Activities, Other, Wellness | 0 Comments | 139

Ganesh Chaturthi is undoubtedly one of the biggest religious and cultural celebrations in India, with multiple states and ethnicities celebrating their version of this festival. Each family has a different tradition when it comes to Ganesh Chaturthi that gets passed down from generations which is quite special and unique to that family! Everyone has their own childhood memories of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at home with loved ones and elders that we hold very close to our hearts. With an exceedingly online generation, maintaining these traditions and introducing them to our younger ones can get taxing and confusing if you do not know the appropriate ways to get them interested. If you identify as having such a problem, then this article is just for you! 

The first step is to educate your child about the festivities. This does not mean a heavy religious discussion but in a narrative story format. You can use a lot of online resources for the same- using Youtube videos, online kid-friendly articles, or even use a plethora of children’s story books and movies for the same. This sets up a positive and wholesome environment for the child and sets the ground for further interest in the festival. Whenever a heady or difficult conversation is to be had with your child, always make sure to break it down in compartments and in a way that can be easily understood by them. 

The second step is by play. Ganesh Chaturthi also entails a lot of preparation and effort to welcome our favorite Ganesha into our homes every year. This is the best time to involve your younger ones, as they learn by doing. Instead of them sitting and participating only during pooja, why not involve them in getting the house ready? Simple tasks like making a small Ganesh idol by using atta, making the flower arrangement, and making their own rangolis, get them excited and involved in the festivities. 

The third element is food. Now the way into a child’s mind is definitely through the stomach, and there are some delectable Ganesh Chaturthi treats that are favorites for all ages. Most of these treats and sweets are made at home using a special family recipe that is near and dear to us. Whether it is making ladoos or modaks, get your child interested by teaching them how to make little versions of this age-old treat. Whether it is shaping or molding them, mixing the key ingredients, or measuring them, make sure that they are involved in some capacity when making these delicious treats. 

The fourth element is getting them involved spiritually. Now, at a young age, understanding the complexities of God or religion might be too much for your little ones, but spirituality and peace are universal. During aarti, pooja, or a celebration, make sure that they are participating. Not just that, explain to them in a medium that they can understand why we do aarti or sing to the idols. Making your child feel that Ganesha is just like another loved family member who only visits once a year, which is why we like to celebrate him with pomp and show can be a way to talk to them about this. 

Always remember that getting kids involved at a young age in our culture and festivities set the stage for their interest and participation later on. In an increasingly globalized and online world, individual cultures and festivities may get blurred, so as parents and guardians, it is up to us to make sure that coming generations remember the riding emotions and celebrations of our beloved Ganesh Chaturthi!