St. Patrick’s day is just around the corner, so make sure you and your child are ready for a fun day at daycare!
The holiday itself can mean different things to different people but it is is a widely celebrated holiday which you will not want to miss out on in daycare. It’s never fun for your child to feel left out.
St. Patrick’s Day is the celebration of the Irish patron saint, St. Patrick. It is a popular holiday, traditionally celebrated with lots of feasting and parades. As a parent, it’s a good idea to make sure your child has at least a basic understanding of this fun holiday.
Originally, the color associated with St. Patrick’s day was blue. However, over the years it has turned to green. Let your child pick out their favorite green clothes for this fun holiday. You may even consider making a special day of fixing up your daughters hair with some green ribbons. Find a fun green hat for your son to wear on St. Patrick’s day (check your daycare or school rules regarding hats) to help them get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s day. Make sure they know it is not OK to pinch anyone that is not wearing green for the day. Once this practice was commonplace but it is frowned upon by many daycares and can even get your child into trouble. Tell them that pinching is not a nice to do and can hurt, and even if other kids do it, they should not.
Clover leaves have also been associated with the day because St. Patrick was said to use the three leaf clover as a symbol when he explained the Holy Trinity to non-Christians.
For your young children, St. Patrick’s Day often means a fun day of wearing their favorite green clothes. This is also a popular day for many daycare providers to have extra special games and activities. Good quality daycares will use these special days to incorporate fun and educational preschool games to learn about colors and letters. Ask your daycare provider about what they may have planned and if there is anything special that you need to have your child bring to daycare. You may even be able to extend the fun into your dinner at home. Here’s a fun thing to do for your kids:
When you’re getting dinner ready, get a clear, empty glass for your child. Put a drop of green food coloring in the bottom of the glass. Try to swirl it around a bit so it doesn’t look too obvious. Then at dinner put your child’s glass on the table, check to make sure they are watching, then pour some water or light-colored juice (like apple or white grape) in the glass. The liquid will turn green as you pour it in!
Another fun thing to do is to DVR the St. Patrick’s Day parades that happen around the country. Your child will love to watch the parade. If there is a St. Patrick’s Day parade that is happening around where you live, you can make an effort to take your children. They will love to see the giant floats, the marching bands and everyone dressed up for St. Patrick’s Day. They will especially enjoy seeing adults dress up and have fun. This is a good lesson for them that even when you are “grown up” it is still OK to have fun and to play.
Have a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day!