How do you explain National Days to your children?

Across the year we celebrate several important events in our country’s calendars. Some of course have considerable sentiment that is felt by many across the nation such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day.

Children read parent’s emotional state and their sincerity very well. Particularly around events that touch the soul. Let us call this generational lessons where we bring them in to acknowledging events such as Remembrance day.

What we pass on is an awareness of how important it is to remember, even though we may not have been personally touched by the drama that led to the celebration. This is about building national pride in what is a nation’s tapestry of celebrations depicting important events that are imprinted in our ever evolving culture.

Do we have a responsibility to pass on the message of these celebrations? I would argue yes, as we owe it to our children to understand the journey of our country and to invite them to take ownership of it when they are adults.

Schools are conscious to celebrate these important events and often common signs and symbols are used to depict the Day. For example, we wear a red poppy on November 11th to depict World War one.

Here are some tips on how to gradually raise awareness of these national events that occur across the year.

Have a family diary and together write in days to celebrate across the year.
When the day approaches, find relevant and age appropriate books to read to the children. As the child grows older, often articles in the newspaper cover the subject well.
Take the children to any public events that may be celebrating the day. For example, a trip to the war memorial around Anzac Day is really memorable.
Together as a family watch on television various marches and parades that tell a tale about the day.
Talk about particular symbols and what they mean. For example, what is a one minute silence all about?
Why do we see Anzac biscuits on sale around Anzac Day?
Invite the child to write their feelings about the day and what it means to them.
Children love symbols. Purchase items such as poppies to wear on the day. They easily can identify with symbols that tell a story.
Check in with what the school is doing to celebrate the event. Often homework set is all about understanding the significance of the day.
Sometimes younger children become confused when they hear the word, celebration. After all is it not a sad day upon which we reflect? This will need some explanation as a parent. We remind them that we celebrate the memory of the day which we hope to keep alive each year in our heart and mind.

As the words say on Anzac Day:

“Lest we forget.”

As a parent you are passing on the legacy of not forgetting.