Learn about why we celebrate Grandparent's Day and understand a little bit of the importance of knowing about our grandparents' histories, showing them respect, and letting them know what they mean to our lives.
Book:
That's What Grandparents are For--by Arlene Uslander
The Grandparents' Treasure Chest: A Journal of Memories to Share with Your Grandchildren--Edward Fays (or similar)
Grandpa's Song--Tony Johnston
Song:
Grandparents are Special Friends
(Mary Had a Little Lamb)
Grandma is my special friend,
Special friend, special friend.
Grandma is my special friend.
I love her, yes I do.
Grandma likes to play (swim, read, visit....etc) with me,
Play with me, play with me.
Grandma likes to play with me,
And says she loves me too.
| Heather McPhail |
History:
Visit the Grandparent's Day Website. Learn how, where, and why the holiday began and find activities and resources.
Activities:
Interview your Grandparents: Let children ask questions to learn more about their grandparents' histories. Record the answers and keep in a grandparents book, along with pictures and other mementos. If grandparents live far away, print questions on paper, have children draw a picture and write a little note to grandparents asking for their answers, and send it in the mail. Have children help you stuff and address the envelopes, talking about where grandparents live. (You can also use a journal-type book to let grandparents record their answers.)
Sample Questions:
| 1. Where were you born? What year? 2. What are the names and birthdates of your brothers and sisters? 3. Did you have a pet when you were growing up? 4. Did you get an allowance? 5. Who was more strict, your mom or dad? 6. What were your favorite games and activities? 7. What chores were assigned to you? 8. What did your house look like? Is it still the same? 9. Did your house have electricity when you were young? 10. What traditions did your family have? 11. Did your family have big reunions? 12. Did you like school? What kinds of grades did you get? 13. What were your favorite subjects? 14. When you were a teenager, what time did you have to be home at night? 15. How old were you when you met grandma/grandpa? 16. How old were you when you got married? 17. What was your first job? 18. Tell me about my mom/dad when he/she was growing up. 19. What makes you proud of my mom/dad? 20. Have you accomplished what you wanted in life? 21. What do you think the President should do for the country now? 22. What advice would you like to give me? |
"My Hand in Grand's": Trace or paint/print your child's hand. Let grandparents trace their hand around the smaller hand print to symbolize grandparent and grandchild, hand in hand. (Variations: Grandparent can print hand first in lighter color, then have grandchild's hand print on top in darker color. Or...press hands into plaster/clay; cut hands out of fabric and stitch together.....)
Name that Grandparent: Let children look through pictures of family members. Ask them which ones are grandparents and have them call them by the names they use. Talk about where each lives and how much we love them. Discuss that Mom's mom and dad are your grandparents (and same with Dad's side.)
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