With the presidential election activities going full-swing, Veteran's Day can easily be overlooked. As a preschool teacher, Veteran's Day can be a good way to involve your class in the community.
It is important for preschoolers to even give back to the community. As a teacher, it is important to model and teach these young kids how to do that. The first step is providing activities in your classroom that will expose them to Veterans and at the same time show gratitude and appreciation. How do you bring Veteran's Day into the classroom? Here are some center activities for your classroom.
Art
Making cards for veterans is a great way to show them they are appreciated. Contact your local VA Hospital for names of patients or schedule a time to drop off cards. If your kids are too small to write, have them draw pictures or stamp their hand prints. Be sure to write how much you appreciate their service. Decorate them in red, white and blue. Include pictures of your children or class as well.
A second activity is to make an American flag. You can do this as a class by using red footprints for the stripes and blue hand prints for the stars. Or you can allow the kids to do it by their self with paint and stickers.
Veterans Program
Invite local veterans for a program complete with a breakfast or patriotic desserts. Have all the preschoolers dress in red, white and blue. Enter in a parade fashion. Have the kids make shakers or streamers out of straws and red, white and blue streamers. Have them march through the audience to the stage to sing a few songs. Be sure and have the kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Sing songs such as God Bless America, The Star Spangled Banner and even Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Sensory Table
Place red, blue and white rice in the table for the children scoop. You can even bury branch seals for them to dig up and then talk about the different branches of the military.
Dress up/Drama
Allow the kids to dress up in different military outfits and hats. Place small flag in the center and allow the kids to march around in uniform. Show them how to salute one another.
Blocks
Place army men in the blocks. Place white blocks in the center with a picture of the White House. Explain to the kids what the white house is and instruct them to build the white house out of blocks. Allow the kids to place the army men outside of the blocks to protect the house.
The possibilities are endless. Be sure to contact your local VA hospital and military branch to get some more ideas. Also ask if they have any current needs then work as a class or school to meet those needs. This could be taking up a collection for care packages to send over seas or just visiting those in need.
Feel free to leave additional ideas in the comment section.
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