At The Cottage, we believe in helping children understand the world around them in meaningful and age-appropriate ways. This Remembrance Day, we introduced the children to the significance of this special day through creative, hands-on activities and thoughtful discussions.
Our goal was to inspire curiosity, promote respect, and encourage the children to engage with the concept of remembering and honoring those who have contributed to peace and freedom.
Our art rooms were buzzing with activity as the children created their own poppies. Using paints, paper, and even potato prints, they explored different ways to design this iconic symbol of Remembrance. The children displayed their creations with pride, decorating our windows with soldiers, poppies, and other meaningful imagery.
This activity not only supported their fine motor skills but also helped them understand the importance of symbols in telling a story. We talked about why the poppy is used and how it represents remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
We set up poppy-themed tuff trays and introduced red playdough with glitter and poppy shapes. As the children explored these sensory materials, they naturally began asking questions about the significance of Remembrance Day. These moments of open-ended play allowed us to gently introduce concepts such as gratitude and remembrance in a way that felt natural and engaging.
For our older preschoolers, we expanded on this by talking about the different coloured poppies and what they stand for:
These discussions helped the children develop their understanding of the world, a key part of the EYFS framework.
To honour the tradition of taking time to reflect, we introduced a brief moment of quiet. For our younger children, this was done through calming music and gentle storytelling about peace and kindness. For preschoolers, we spoke about the idea of remembering brave people and animals who helped make the world a safer place.
Even at this young age, children can begin to understand the value of gratitude and kindness, which aligns with their personal, social, and emotional development.
Stories and songs are powerful tools for young children. We shared age-appropriate stories about kindness, bravery, and community, focusing on messages of peace and togetherness. Songs like “The Peaceful Poppy” and gentle nursery rhymes added a musical element to our celebrations, making these big ideas more relatable to little learners.
Overall, it was a beautiful blend of creativity, learning, and reflection. Through art, play, and storytelling, the children engaged with the idea of honouring others and celebrating peace in ways that were meaningful to their age and development.
We are proud to help our children grow into thoughtful and compassionate individuals who appreciate the values of kindness and community. Thank you to our nursery families for supporting our Remembrance Day activities. Together, we are helping to nurture the next generation of caring and mindful humans!
