Memorial Day often feels like the unofficial start of the summer season, celebrating with a long weekend full of barbecues, pool parties, and sunshine. This usually leads to many of us forgetting the true meaning of Memorial Day. Children must understand that Memorial Day is more than a day off or a reason to hit the beach. It’s a day of remembrance, a time to honor and reflect on those who have served our country. Memorial Day helps instill values of gratitude and respect for the sacrifices that others have made to protect our freedom.
Fostering Gratitude
It’s easy for kids to not understand what Memorial Day is about or to take freedom for granted. Teaching them about Memorial Day provides an opportunity to recognize the privileges that we enjoy, like freedom of speech, the right to attend school, to vote, and to feel safe, which have come at a great cost. By learning about those who made these sacrifices and the families who have lost loved ones, children can begin to develop a deeper appreciation for what it means to live in the United States and have freedom.
Connecting with History
Going to history class, studying through a textbook, or reading books is a great way to engage with history and to learn, but connecting it to real people and real families makes it more meaningful. Memorial Day invites us to learn about the stories of heroes, whose service and dedication to our country are essential in protecting and shaping our nation. Visiting a local memorial, attending ceremonies, and placing flowers or flags on graves may make history feel more personal and important to kids.
Promoting Empathy and Respect
Memorial Day can help promote skills of empathy and respect in children. Explaining why we fly flags at half-staff, observing moments of silence, and sharing stories of friends and family members shows children that honoring the lives of those we have lost matters. These are powerful, respectful acts that teach kids to honor loss and show compassion, especially to those who have given so much for our nation.
Encouraging Civic Responsibility
By learning about Memorial Day, children can begin to understand what it means to be a part of the United States. It’s a way to develop civic responsibility and understand the role of fighting for the freedoms others fought to protect. It can spark conversations about the freedoms that mean a lot to them and what they can do to contribute to the world around them. This can be through community service and standing up for what they believe to be right.
Creating Traditions
When we teach children about Memorial Day, we create traditions that go beyond pool parties and fireworks. Whether it’s going to the local parade, visiting memorials of lost loved ones, or simply engaging in conversations, these traditions can begin to promote awareness and appreciation in children that they can carry into adulthood.
This Memorial Day, you can celebrate by honoring the spirit of the day and telling children why it matters. When we take a moment to honor Memorial Day, we can use it as an opportunity to shape children into compassionate, informed, and grateful young citizens of the United States.
