Solider Solidarity: Ways for Young Children to Celebrate Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the greatest sacrifice a soldier can give for his country: his life. While this may be a difficult and sticky topic for preschoolers to comprehend, parents and educators can rectify this issue by developing interesting and appropriate ways to give a concrete meaning to this situation. Focus on military life instead of death and forms of patriotism. Options are included in the following list I have designed to help young children demonstrate knowledge on this extremely patriotic and somber holiday.

• Take out simple non-fiction books relating to the branches of the armed forces and stories about children whose mothers and fathers are members of the military. 
• Teach children popular, classic American songs such as "This Land is Your Land". 
• Have your child color a flag coloring page that you have found on the Internet and laminate it using a laminator or contact paper.  Glue on a Popsicle stick and stick it in the ground in your front yard to honor our fallen heroes.
• Write a thank you letter to a soldier. 
• Call and set up a visit to a local VA hospital in order to bring a little bit of sunshine to an ailing soldier's day.
• Create a care package for a soldier that includes necessities such as toothpaste, tissues, socks etc. Search the Internet for sites who send these care packages to soldiers and find out their main necessities and needs. 
• Wear red, white and blue to commemorate the importance of American pride for our soldiers here and overseas. 

Have a Happy and healthy Memorial Day!