It’s more than summer’s last hurrah. Here is how you can teach your little ones the importance of Labor Day.
National holidays are more than just a day off from school and work, and it’s great to teach your children the meaning behind all of them. Because it’s the last holiday before school starts, Labor Day is often treated as summer’s grand finale. Below are some ways you can help your child recognize the significance behind the day.
Obviously, this is not a somber day, so it’s great to treat it like a celebration. At the same time, you should teach your kids the reason behind why they are celebrating by teaching them what “labor” is. If your kids already have chores that’s great, if not have them help you around the house the day before or even bring them to work with you if possible. If nothing else, discuss with them the importance of work, and how it makes everything they have possible.
This would be a great day to discuss “What do you want to be when you grow up?” If your kid dreams of being a firefighter, do some research together on what firefighters do. Maybe your child will want to play dress up or even do some firefighting related arts and crafts. There are plenty of ways you can engage your child in learning the importance of work.
Besides teaching your child about labor itself, teach them the history of the holiday and its significance. You can explain that Labor Day came from the labor movement in the 19th century. Before the movement people, even children, were paid poorly to work from sunup to sundown, in dangerous conditions with little to no rights. We are celebrating the effort of all those workers who fought so that people don’t have to work like that anymore.
