September 11th - Remembrance Activities?

[Carole's Daycare]

And, I agree that it is unfair of you to assume that any liberal here would behave in the manner in which you describe.

Where did I even suggest that anyone here would behave that way? How did me saying I observe the day, and sharing my own experience, become a perceived attack on any individual here? How did me saying I observe with color pages and a patriotic song equal sharing traumatic events with small children to scare them like I'm the bogeyman?
So lets not discuss on Martin Luther King Day that in our history our country wasn't very nice to black people, and that people were so angry when people tried to change that that people were hurt, and he was killed, and that its important to learn from that and from MLK that all kids are great and we should be nice and be friends with everybody? That's scary. Or the 4th of July, or any other observance that has, at its root, our nations violent history.

[MarinaVanessa]

I agree that the details of what happened Sept. 11th should be left up to the parents to discuss to their own children. I don't plan on doing any activities in DC for the kids about Sept. 11th (most are under the age of 2 anyway) but if I did I believe that I would only do activities related to those like Veteran's Day (celebrating the sacrifice that our military makes for us) and of course adding EMT's, doctor's, nurses, fire fighters, policemen etc. (the people that make us safe). It would be more of a celebration thanking people in these fields for what they do for us and our communities. I wouldn't broach the subject of the details about Sept. 11th but I would encourage friendship and peace and helping each other. Talking about different people in the world and tolerance/acceptance of other people's likes/dislikes would be another good topic. Singing songs about friendship, differences in people etc. would also be a great choice for the younger kids. There are lots of ways of honoring those that sacrificed on Sept. 11th without talking about bombs, planes, death and violence.

As a note: Martin Luther King Jr is taught in K and 1st Grade much like I have suggested above. By singing songs about friendships, reading simple books about him that say that he wanted people to get along etc. Schools don't usually get deep into prejudice and the violence surrounding his life/death and that time until middle school, at least in my area. I think it's safe to say that I don't think that people are saying not to remember what happened and not to teach about it (Sept. 11th) but only to keep in mind the age groups that we have and to do something appropriate much like how schools teach about Martin Luther King Jr.

[Carole's Daycare]

I agree that the details of what happened Sept. 11th should be left up to the parents to discuss to their own children. I don't plan on doing any activities in DC for the kids about Sept. 11th (most are under the age of 2 anyway) but if I did I believe that I would only do activities related to those like Veteran's Day (celebrating the sacrifice that our military makes for us) and of course adding EMT's, doctor's, nurses, fire fighters, policemen etc. (the people that make us safe). It would be more of a celebration thanking people in these fields for what they do for us and our communities. I wouldn't broach the subject of the details about Sept. 11th but I would encourage friendship and peace and helping each other. Talking about different people in the world and tolerance/acceptance of other people's likes/dislikes would be another good topic. Singing songs about friendship, differences in people etc. would also be a great choice for the younger kids. There are lots of ways of honoring those that sacrificed on Sept. 11th without talking about bombs, planes, death and violence.

Thanks. I'm glad someone sees that we can honor the day without specific info about traumatic events. I may incorporate your ideas about activities promoting tolerance amongst different peoples of the world etc. as well.

[SunflowerMama]

How did me saying I observe the day, and sharing my own experience, become a perceived attack on any individual here?

I think it was possibly this statement that you made in your original post that started some of the discussion...

assuming they are so liberal and oblivious that they no longer give a crap about 9-11

[Carole's Daycare]

That was referring to the possibility of having clients/parents who are oblivious of the day and it wouldn't occur to them that there is even a possibility to honor the day, much less question how to appropriately do so. Totally didn't refer to providers or anyone here. This being a forum I have no personal knowledge of the individuals here. There are a few folks like that out there- I have definately met people who don't give a crap and want it forgotten or vociferously argue its our fault or use it as an opportunity to bash Bush or get into some heated argument as opposed to a tragedy that should have pulled us all together, and for a time, seemed to. Unfortunately, the few I have met fall under the as already agreed vast and varied group of people including wonderful people who consider themselves liberal in the political scene. I haven't met a conservative republican who does that, though there may be some. Not to mention the conspiracy theorists & such who claim it didn't happen- not the same folks who say the holocaust didnt happen....or wear tin foil in their hats and visit Roswell....

[DBug]

On Remembrance Day (Veteran's Day for US?), we have the phrase "Lest we forget" on everything -- wreaths, banners, posters, newspapers, etc. The reason is that if we don't remember the bad things that have happened, and the sacrifice that so many souls have made for our freedom, we may not be willing to make that sacrifice ourselves, if called upon.

I totally respect those of you who are looking for a way to remember 9/11. It was a tragic, tragic event, and so many people gave so much of themselves during, and for months afterwards (to say nothing of those who gave their own lives). I wouldn't want to get into the death and carnage of it with preschoolers either, but celebrating the military, police officers, fire fighters, etc, because of the amazing job they did on 9/11 is something I would definitely do. It's so important for kids to become familiar with our history (and yours!), and there's no reason why you shouldn't give them that opportunity.

And who knows, those parents that don't care to remember, may have the chance to reconsider their complacency. After all, the ability to look beyond oneself to recognize the sacrifices that others make on our behalf is part of the maturing process. Maybe we, as caregivers, can help BOTH children and their parents on that process

[Unregistered]

I think it depends on how much that day impacted your life & surroundings. My children were very young when 9/11 happened and we lived only about 20 or so miles away. That day was so distressing that many moms & dads pulled their kids out of school right away.... including me. Our town lost a good amount of people and many volunteered at ground zero (including my husband). My husband is still there working on the Freedom Towers. So where I live, it is still a very big deal.

During the weeks after, most of our schools did go into detail explaining what happened because so many children were going home and seeing those graphic scary pictures on every tv channel. Since many children were affected by that day, it was understandable to commemorate the following anniversaries (even for the kindergartners). But those kids have grown up and I think today's toddlers don't need to be told by their teacher - it would be like explaining Pearl Harbor to a 4 or 5 year old. I don't believe that they could even understand the concept of it. They can learn about it when they are a little older. Some families commemorate it more than others because it has touched them personally, so I'd leave it up to them.