If you're always looking for new ways to liven up the day or
week, think about unofficial holidays and celebrations along with the major
ones. Here you can engage your children in fun projects and creative learning
activities, helping them learn about special days that tie ideas and concepts
together. Who knew that almost every day of the year has some significant fact
to it? Other than going back to school, September is not one of the most
exciting months of the year, but I bet I can come up with some fun days for the
kids to celebrate. Here are a few of my favorite days and activities to enhance
them.
Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September. It
originally was a time to honor those who work and to give them a day of rest.
Yes, it still is, but also the last holiday of summer and many families plan
picnics or other outdoor outings. This is also a great time to teach your
children about the community helpers in your neighborhood that are important in
many ways. At home, make a Labor Day collage together. Set out a variety of
magazines. Let the children look through them and tear or cut pictures of
people at work. Think about truck drivers, people who wash dishes, a singer on
stage along with the occupations we normally think of such as doctors, police
officers and school teachers. At the top of the paper, write "People Who
Work" and let the kids glue on the pictures. Take time to discuss working
and occupations during this official holiday.
National Grandparent's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday
following Labor Day. This is a special day to express love and appreciation for
grandparents by giving cards and presents (especially homemade ones) and
holding family gatherings. Talk about the roles that grandparents play in your
child's life and the special times they have spent together. Making decorated
bookmarks is always a nice craft and gift the kids can make for this occasion.
Bring out the art materials and invite the children to create one for each
grandparent. Make sure to have them dip their thumbs into paint and print
thumbprints on the front or back of the bookmark. Have the kids write "To
Thumb-body Special" on this project.
Remember September 11, 2001, when the fatal terrorist
attacks of the Twin Towers in New York City happened. Take time to reflect what
happened and how this has made our nation stronger as we fight the war on
terrorism. Do something patriotic on this day, like making American flags
together. Younger children can make "stars and stripes" collages by
cutting strips of red, white and blue construction paper and gluing them
randomly onto a base paper. Provide sticker stars to adhere anywhere on the
page. Hang these on the walls as decorations of our patriotic spirit as
Americans.
How about a pickle celebration? Snack-a pickle time is the
last ten days in September. So choose a day to pay tribute to the almighty
pickle - the world's most humorous vegetable. This is a good time to recite the
"Peter Piper" tongue twister rhyme and have fun seeing if your kids
can repeat it after you. Younger kids may enjoy making green pickle puppets
from construction paper glued onto craft sticks. Add whimsical facial features
and name the puppets such as Polly Pickle, Pickle Man and so on. You can even
make up stories about the adventures of the pickle people.
Let the last full week of September go to the dogs as you
and the kids celebrate Dog Week. If you have a pet dog, pamper it! Let the kids
make some homemade toys for your dog. Kids can even make paper dog tags for
themselves. Let them choose a dog name and decorate a bone-shape tag from
poster board. Punch holes and attach a yarn necklace for the kids to wear. Read
dog books, sing some dog songs like "BINGO" and "How much is
that doggie in the window?"
Until we meet again -- Happy Parenting!
Tania :)
Photos courtesy of Bing Images and Wikimedia Commons
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