Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Tradition Tuesday - September Traditions



Back to School Breakfast:
Make a special breakfast to start the new school year off right.  Make an elaborate feast, anything but the usual cereal and toast.  Let your children select the menu and do the grocery shopping together to prepare this special meal.  Wake up early and set the table with your best dishes, turn on background music and really make the meal special.
The night before, you may want to talk about new “school” year resolutions.  Have each child write down their resolutions to share if they wish at the Back to School Breakfast.  Reinforce their commitment by laminating and posting their list someplace visible, and planning a special reward when they have succeeded.

Labor Day Feast:
Have the whole family help in preparing a special Labor Day picnic.  Play charades of some of the different occupations that keep our nation strong.  After the picnic give everyone a piece of paper and ask them to write down and draw what they want to be when they grow up.  Adults can join in too!

Celebrating Grandparents:
Grandparent’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day.  The holiday was created to remind grandchildren to tap into the wisdom and heritage their grandparents provide.  There are many things to do on this day, send a letter/card, write a poem or even put on a special play.  Another is to complete a grandparent interview with a variety of questions.  What were your goals and aspirations? What was your childhood like? What advice do you want to pass on to your children and grandchildren, etc.  This will give your child the chance to see how the world has changed since their grandparents were young, and give your parents the opportunity to share stories.
Mapping Nonna and Opa:                                                                                                           Can you say grandma and grandpa in Italian? Use this list of words that kids use for grandparents in other countries.  Get out the globe or copy of a world map, and have your children find the countries These words refer to grandma and grandpa in the following countries:
•             Poland -- Babcia and Dziadek,
•             Germany -- Oma and Opa,
•             India -- Nana-ji and Nani-ji,
•             Korea -- Halmonee and Halabujee,
•             Greece -- Ya-ya and Pa-pu,
•             Japan -- Oba-chan and Oji-chan,
•             China -- Popo and Gong-gong,
•             Italy -- Nonna and Nonno,
•             Israel -- Savta and Saba,
•             Cuba -- Abuelita and Abuelito

Visit a Nursing Home:
Did you know that 60 percent of nursing home residents never have a visitor? Schedule a trip to a local nursing home, and have your children adopt "grandparents" or "secret pals" to cheer.