Columbus Day

Kindergarten Readiness: Fall-Nature-Thanksgiving/Columbus Day

garden-carrotAt first, Thanksgiving Day in Canada and Columbus Day in the U.S. might not seem that relevant for kindergarten readiness but there can be lots of fun and learning. Displays for Thanksgiving use all sorts of garden treasures: pumpkins, flowers, potatoes, wheat, corn, carrots and more. These treasures have come from the land around us. Columbus Day is also a thanksgiving of sorts, a day to celebrate the discovery of a new land. For both of these days, land is a significant part of the celebration.

This month, 1 2 3 Kindergarten blog posts have been about fall and encouraging children’s connection to nature. Nature seems to fit no matter which of the two days you are celebrating. Children can spend some time at the park, or go for a walk to see how the land is changing for the autumn season. This is the time of year to plant fall bulbs so that they can sleep in the ground over the winter and wake up in the spring. It’s time to dig up the last of the garden and put it to sleep, too. Families in apartments may need to tend to their little bit of ‘land’ in pots on the balcony as the weather turns colder.

Nature seems to play a part in special days and ordinary days, doesn’t it? Happy Day!

Kindergarten Readiness – 2 Holidays, 1 Lesson

Both Columbus Day and Canadian Thanksgiving–earlier in Canada because there’s snow, not harvest, in November–have echoes of voyages. Voyages of discovery, adventure and celebration. Kindergarten is another voyage of discovery for our children. Today, wherever we are, as adults let’s make an effort to protect their sense of adventure and celebration. Happy Day!

P.S. How did sailors on Columbus’ ship sleep at night? With their eyes closed.
P.P.S. Why did the turkey cross the road? Because it was the chicken’s day off.

(the ship my son is on)