- Definition
Diwali is a joyful "Festival of Lights" celebrated by many different cultures, marking the victory of good over bad and light over darkness.
Lighting small clay lamps called diyas is one way families celebrate Diwali.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Diwali is like a big, happy celebration where families use lights to chase away the darkness, just like a nightlight makes a room feel safe.
Ask your child: How do lights make you feel during a celebration?
Common mix-up: Diwali is celebrated in different ways by Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and some Buddhist communities. Lights, food, family, faith, and the meanings of the celebration may vary among families.
Examples
- Creating colourful patterns on the floor called rangoli.
- Sharing special sweets with family and friends.
Diwali is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
