Mother’s Day means different things to different people and it can throw up a whole host of emotions.
What does Mother’s Day really mean? Mothering Sunday is a Christian celebration and it was originally a time to return to your ‘Mother Church’ (local church) and gather with family. The more modern version of showing gratitude to mothers and carers arose because children would collect daffodils for their mothers on the way to church.
As much as Mother’s Day intends to be a happy harmless celebration it can cause so much pain. A child’s mum may have sadly passed away, a mother may not be the wonderful mother many believe all mothers are and abuse their child, if a mother abandoned their child this ‘celebration’ can cause immense pain and heartache, often kept hidden.
Therefore it can be difficult to know what to do for the best. As educators, we need to ensure we are inclusive but also sensitive to all of our children’s needs. Our job as Early Years Educators is to teach children about different traditions and celebrations, and Mother’s Day is a celebration, for how long this tradition will continue who knows, it does not have to be celebrated by every setting. If nothing else, it could be the opportunity to practise thinking of others can be embraced.
Some settings may choose to lead children in making gifts and cards, and use the opportunity to teach a new skill, for example, cutting. Some may allow children to choose so they are using their own ideas and imagination and not just for mothers but anyone they love. While other settings may simply use it as a time to reflect on those special to us and talk about why we love them.
Mother’s Day is a good opportunity to teach appreciation and respect, but the most important thing to remember is to not let our personal preferences enter into how we teach. Should you feel strongly that it shouldn’t be celebrated in Early Years, you could instead hold a ‘special persons tea party ‘ as suggested by a member of our facebook group. You could make food and sing songs, which all the children could prepare for; they could make bunting, place mats, cards, sandwiches cakes etc. See our recipes here.
A nice activity (food for display) is for the children to say (or write) “I love you because….” This can be about ANY loved one; see our love heart border paper here. Children can come up with some hilarious answers to these! We also provide planing for a family assembly which is perfect for this time of year.
Whatever you decide to do, this is a good song to sing with Early Years children. It’s about love and its lyrics also aid reading.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPMsHIPpkYY
