My daughter starts Kindergarten this year and I would love to do some fun things throughout the year for her and I am looking for ideas beyond putting a note in their lunchbag.
Hi,
Our oldest son's b-day is in Oct. So, my husband takes that day off and goes and has lunch with ____@____.com goes to McDonald's and waits in the lunchroom for the class to come in. Of course, he brings the camera and even goes to recess with him.
Our youngest son's b-day is in the summer so, we're just going to pick a day for my husband to go and have a special lunch @ school with him too!
Sorry if I sound like a "party pooper" but the best memories and traditions will be her mom and dad making learning fun by practicing things at home in silly, happy ways. After 16 years of teaching, I've seen so many parents do everything but extend learning at home. Please don't misunderstand. I have seen flowers, happy meals, cupcakes, dancing gorillas, notes, grandparents and about 100 other things used to "surprise" kids at school but I have personally experienced raising my own child without all this. When he learns a bit about Egypt, we get all sorts of books and educational DVDs about Egypt, Cleopatra, etc and have a blast reading and watching together, then maybe dressing him like a mummy, an Egyption Pharoh, etc. This was in first grade. In second grade, he learned about the feudal system of knights and nobles and I can't begin to tell you the laughter we enjoyed from making swords and shields, "choreographing" a brief sword fighting routine, etc. Again, the kids DVDs and books from the library have been awesome. We also do loads of science investigations,etc. The list goes on and on and on of the incredible joy and fun we have had doing just this kind of thing. It doesn't become materialistic and we're not spending money unnecessarily b/c all the DVDs, etc come from the public library. Even at kindergarten age, we started doing this. Truly, this has been so rewarding for all of us and we are proud of the knowledge base our child has at 8 years of age. So, I know these aren't "traditional traditions" but it is a great way to make memories and fill your child's school experience with meaning.
Be sure to hang up all of her papers and artwork. We had a "gallery" in the garage as it had a lots of drywall space. The newest special pieces made it on the fridge.
Hi C.,
I started something with my 3 1/2 year old and plan to continue it for many years. She attends pre-school so I created a wall in our dining area where I display her artwork. I let her pick where she wants to hang the work and up it goes. Right now, the art covers about a 6 x 6 area and looks like a collage. It is very colorful and when we sit down for dinner, we talk about all of her wonderful masterpieces. The art includes drawings, paper machea (sp), cut/paste pictures, letters and numbers etc - you name it, its up there. She is very proud of this and whenever she makes something new she now tells me she wants to hang it up. It also makes for a great conversation piece when family and friends are over - I let her tell them all about the particular art.
It is so fun and rewarding to see how proud she is when she talks about her work.
L.
Here is something fun for her 1st day:
www.firstdayofschoolfairy.com/
I know you wanted something a little more "outside the box" than a note in the lunch box but I still do this and it is fun! Instead of the usual "Mommy loves you" note I started putting funny pictures of animals etc. (you can find so many on the Internet) and then when they could read a "Joke for the day". My boys said their friends still want to know the "Joke for the day". It helps break the ice when making new friends to show a goofy thing your mom did.
I still try to make a fuss of them when I pick them up...sometimes I have a balloon or a plate full of cookies they can quickly pass out to friends. During the hot months, I bring a popsicle to have while we walk home...
If one of my kids is worried about a test that day I send "open before" and "open after" notes of encouragement. For my older kids I sneek in their folders and grafetti on one, a funny drawing and a note of love. I do it in a strange place and it takes them a while to discover it.
We also have a "red plate" at my house and when you have done something great at school you get to eat off the red plate at dinner.
I also give out "holiday pencils" at breakfast, they have them for just about every holiday and it is fun to get a silly new one to take to school that day.
Kids love anything that makes them feel special and loved and is a fun conversation starter to show their friends!
