To preschool aged children Veteran’s Day is just another day off school.
Younger children don’t have much awareness of what a Veteran is and their importance. However, you could use this lack of awareness as a way to teach your children about this significant holiday.
To learn about ways to teach your students about Veteran’s Day, keep reading.
The Significance of Veteran's Day
Veteran’s Day has a lot of history attached to it. It may be difficult to explain this history to young children, but you can introduce concepts through creative, interactive activities. Make these activities simple, yet interesting. Some concepts to focus on teaching this Veteran’s Day are patriotism, bravery, and service.
Here are 5 ways you can teach the children at your center to honor Veterans.
1) Teach your students a patriotic song.
Classics like “Star Spangled Banner” and “America, the Beautiful” are great ways to show your students what it means to be patriotic. Check out this website to get a list of songs that are easy for young children to learn.
Students singing
2) Encourage your students to go to a Veteran’s Day Parade.
Most cities host a Veteran’s Day parade every year when the time comes around. If you just type “Veteran’s Day Parade 2024” in your Google Search bar, an option should pop up in your city. Sending out a letter to the parents about this upcoming parade could be a great way for your students to meet veterans and offer up their time to recognize those who have served.
Veteran's Day parade
3) Write a “thank you” letter to the veterans.
You can find printable thank you letters online, or you can have your students hand write them to celebrate Veteran's Day. A cute drawing with their name on it goes a long way and helps educate the children in your center. It's a great activity that lets the kids show their appreciation toward veterans!
Veteran's Day thank you letter
4) Invite a veteran to speak to your students.
If you feel like Veteran's Day is approaching a little too quickly, these snacks are the perfect fit! You only need 4 ingredients and it’s so easy to make that the kids could even make their own if you'd like to keep their little hands busy. These flag cookies start with a graham cracker and include either a frosting or whipped topping. To finish the cookies, the children can add blueberries and strawberries to design their very own American flag.
Child waving flag to celebrate Veteran's Day
5) Have your students make an American flag.
There are so many options for American Flag crafts online. However, you can print out a blank picture of one and have your students color it. After they finish coloring it, they can glue a popsicle stick to the back of it. Now they have their own personal American Flag!
Printable color-the-flag activity
Celebrate Veteran's Day In Your Centers
Teaching your students about historical holidays can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Try these activities out in your classroom.
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