Happy Mother’s Day! If you are a mother, this may be a time you reflect on what it means to be a mother. Every mother is different! Some mothers love to cook gourmet meals for their children, and others prefer to pick up take-out on the way home from work so they will have more time for togetherness. Some mothers love to sing and play instruments, and others are more likely to turn on the radio and dance with their children. Some mothers enjoy gardening, and others prefer their produce from the store. There are as many different styles of mothering as there are mothers. As mothers, it’s important for us to respect and support each other, even if we have different styles. The important thing is that we all love our children dearly.
If you work in child care, you may want to help the children in your group do something special to celebrate Mother’s Day. Keep in mind each child’s situation. Some children’s mothers may be deceased, and other children may not have regular contact with their mothers. Due to divorce and remarriage or other circumstances, some children may have more than one mother figure in their lives. Some children may come from families that prefer not to celebrate holidays for religious, cultural, or personal reasons. Try to find out as much as you can about each child’s family situation so you can plan accordingly. For example, you may want to have enough supplies for some children to create more than one card or gift. You may want to invite mother substitutes to any special events.
Here are some different ways to celebrate Mother’s Day or honor mothers at any time. You can adapt them as needed so they work well with your children.
Cookbook for Moms
Ask each child to dictate a recipe for a favorite food . If necessary, ask for details, such as what temperature to set the oven and how long the food should cook. Write down the child’s exact words. If possible, type up each recipe. Invite the children to add illustrations. Make copies and staple the recipes together into a booklet to give as a Mother’s Day gift.
Record an Interview
Interview the children about their mothers and make audio or video recordings to send home. Here are a few questions you might ask .
- What makes your mom laugh?
- What makes your mom mad?
- What is the best thing about your mom?
- What would you like to tell your mom?
Mother’s Day Cards and Crafts
Mothers treasure cards and crafts made by their children! If you use FunShine Express®, you’ll find that the Buttercups and Fireflies curriculum includes materials to make memorable gifts. You can also provide any art materials you have on hand and invite the children to design their own cards or crafts.
Books about Mothers
As you prepare for the arrival of Mother’s Day, share some books about mothers. Here are some good ones. You can also check with your local librarian for recommendations.
- Mama’s Day by Linda Ashman
- Mother’s Mother’s Day by Lorna Balian
- Are You My Mother?/¿Eres tú mi mamá? by P. D. Eastman
- On Mother’s Lap/En las piernas de Mamá by Ann Herbert Scott
- When Mama Comes Home Tonight/Este noche cuando mamá regrese a casa by Eileen Spinelli
Mother’s Day Tea Party
Plan a tea party and invite guests to attend. (Talk with each child about which guests to invite.) The children can help prepare treats to serve. Cucumber sandwiches are easy to make! The children can use round cookie cutters to cut circles of thin white bread. Mix a little mayonnaise into some softened cream cheese so it will spread easily. The children may spread a bit on each circle and top with a thin slice of cucumber. For a festive touch, add a sprinkle of paprika. Cover with a damp towel and refrigerate until serving. Serve the sandwiches along with cookies and punch.
Songs
Entertain the guests with one or more songs. Choose from the children’s favorites or use the song below.
Happy Mother’s Day (Sung to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
Hello, Mom, I want to say,
“Happy, happy Mother’s Day!”
Thank you, Mom, for loving me!
You’re the best mom you can be.
You keep me safe and hold me tight
I love you, Mom, with all my might!
Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
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