Remembrance Day is a tricky subject as a kindergarten teacher...how do you explain what it is about without frightening the children? How to talk about it in a developmentally appropriate way? Since I have friends and family who are current and former military members, it is important to me that children have a beginning understanding of why we wear poppies in November.
We decided to explain that long ago, a big bully was making trouble on the other side of the world. He was making people feel bad and taking their things. Everyone asked him to stop but he just got worse, so we sent our best men to go make him stop. Some of the men were hurt, but in the end the bully lost and everyone was happy again. Remembrance Day is about remembering the brave men who got hurt to protect others.
We looked at some books that contained pictures of poppies, cenotaphs, and veterans. Jackson asked "How do people make their own poppies?"
We did some research together on the Internet and the children were inspired to create their own poppies out of materials we had in the class.
As we worked, the children spoke about the story about the bully, about fighting, and about peace. Many of our students were able to make the connection between the symbol of the poppy and remembrance. They expressed empathy and thanks for our veterans.
Together we created a display in the foyer about our learning and we shared our artwork.
Here are some thoughts about poppies and remembrance we gathered during the project.
Thank you to all of our veterans for your bravery and sacrifice. Lest we forget.
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