Yalda Night and Grandfathers
On the occasion of Yalda Night—the longest night of the year and one of Iran’s oldest traditions—Pardis Solaleh Kindergarten held a warm, joyful, and educational celebration with the presence of the children’s grandfathers. This event was designed and carried out with the aim of familiarizing children with authentic Iranian culture and traditions, strengthening emotional bonds between generations, and creating a shared and lasting experience for children and their families.
The program began with a heartfelt and friendly welcome to the grandfathers. Their presence in the kindergarten created a special and pleasant atmosphere, and the children, full of excitement, gathered alongside their grandfathers, ready to begin the activities. After the welcome, the grandfathers accompanied their grandchildren to different classrooms to take part in various activities.
In one classroom, a special theatrical performance was presented, capturing the attention of both children and grandfathers. In this performance, the grandfathers took on the role of narrators and read the script, while the children, with their creativity and energy, acted out the roles. This beautiful intergenerational collaboration created a joyful yet educational atmosphere and gave the children the opportunity to experience storytelling and theater alongside their grandfathers.In another classroom, children and their grandfathers played traditional games together. Marble games, one of the nostalgic pastimes of earlier generations, came back to life and created moments filled with excitement and intimacy. The grandfathers patiently and enthusiastically taught the children how to play, and this interaction deepened the emotional bond between them.
Another lively part of the celebration was a game of charades (pantomime), played with the participation of grandfathers and grandchildren. This activity was filled with laughter and joy, and seeing the adults actively participate helped the children gain more self-confidence in group settings and in expressing their feelings.
In one classroom, a creative and symbolic activity was held as well. Children and grandfathers worked together to build a wooden “sun” structure. This activity was inspired by the concept of Yalda Night as the night of the rebirth of the sun, helping children become familiar with the symbolic meanings of this ancient tradition while also experiencing teamwork and hands-on creation.
Part of the program was dedicated to storytelling and memories. The grandfathers shared sweet memories from their own childhoods, introducing the children to the atmosphere of the past in a simple and heartfelt way. Reading poems by Hafez was another delightful segment of the celebration, familiarizing the children with the tradition of Hafez recitation on Yalda Night and adding a calm and cultural ambiance to the event.
At the end of the celebration, traditional Iranian snacks and refreshments were served to the grandfathers and children. This hospitality perfectly complemented the joyful atmosphere, where happiness, memory-making, and cultural learning came together.
The Yalda Night celebration at Pardis Solaleh Kindergarten, with the presence of grandfathers, was a valuable and lasting experience for the children—an experience that not only turned Yalda Night into a sweet memory, but also built a bridge between generations and conveyed cultural and family values to children in a vivid and meaningful way.