Teaching preschoolers about the history of Thanksgiving

Giving thanks with little ones

Most young kids know that Thanksgiving is the time of year when you eat turkey with your family. However when your children reach preschool age, they can also begin learning about the history and meaning of holidays. This year, teach your preschooler about the history of Thanksgiving with the help of books, crafts, charity work and other projects.

Explaining to preschoolers the history of Thanksgiving doesn't have to be difficult. An assortment of terrific, inexpensive books is available to help teach your little ones learn about Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving is a fantastic choice for kids ages four to six. This 32-page book is available at Amazon for under six bucks.

Also check out The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross and Carolyn Croll. For younger kids, a good option is the board book What Is Thanksgiving? by Michelle Medlock Adams. It is written in rhyme and places the emphasis on giving thanks for our blessings, rather than telling the traditional Thanksgiving story.

Craft projects can help teach your preschoolers about the history of Thanksgiving, too. You can make pilgrim hats, pinecone turkeys, cornucopia centerpieces and more. Download these Thanksgiving coloring pages and printables. Your children can choose several pictures to color. Cut them out and glue them to construction paper. Then, you can laminate the paper and turn it into a Thanksgiving place mat or table decoration. While you are working on your crafts, continue to remind your child about the significance of the items and the story of first Thanksgiving.

Find out how to make styrofoam cup pilgrim hats >>

Thanksgiving is a time where we all give thanks for the blessings we have, and reach out to help those who are less fortunate. Get your children involved in charity work at a young age. You'll find plenty of opportunities to volunteer and contribute around Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. Sharing food with people you don't know is part of Thanksgiving history. You can adopt holiday "orphans" who are in your area and away from their own families by inviting them to join your Thanksgiving dinner. You can also select other volunteer projects for your child or family to do together at Thanksgiving time.

Read more about how to teach your kids to be thankful >>

On Thanksgiving Day, have each person at the table share three things that they are thankful for this year or prayers for the upcoming year. You can write these items down in a blank journal and then save it to read throughout the year. Your family can also create a special Thanksgiving tablecloth. Purchase a plain white tablecloth and provide several fabric markers on the table. Family and friends can write their gratitude notes and blessings on the tablecloth, signing their name and date. Your family can use the tablecloth on Thanksgiving for years to come, adding more to it each year.

More about Thanksgiving

Non-traditional Thanksgiving traditions
Capture Thanksgiving memories in a scrapbook
Family activities for Thanksgiving morning