By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Meadow View Elementary School kindergarteners spent the days leading up to the Christmas break taking a trip around the world to learn about holiday cultures in other countries.

From Dec. 10-14, the kindergarteners rotated into a different classroom to get an in-depth view of holiday traditions from countries such as Mexico, England, Holland, Germany, Africa, France and China.

At the beginning of the week, the kids were given a folder designed to look like a suitcase, and had their paper passports stamped each time they visited a classroom.

“They are learning a lot of good skills, like social studies and geography. They all know that they have to have a passport to get into another country now,” said MVES kindergarten teacher Kathy Matthews. “I’ve actually learned some things doing this.”

Matthews said children in England call Santa Claus “Father Christmas,” and said children in Holland set their shoes out to be filled on Christmas Eve. The genesis of the Christmas stocking-hanging tradition came when families hung their damp laundry in front of the fireplace to dry in the past, Matthews said.

The kids also learned traditions and origins of holidays other than Christmas, such as Hanukkah and Kwanza.

“This is something we started last year, and the kids love it,” Matthews said. “They will come in and say ‘Where are we going today?’”