March is Irish-American History Month. For preschool teachers and daycare providers, this provides a great opportunity to teach children about different countries and cultures.
Preschool-aged children do not need to be bombarded with a wealth of information. Uncomplicated, broad concepts work best for this age group.
Teaching Preschoolers about Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day
Begin with a simple lesson plan which includes some background about Ireland. Take out a map or a globe and show the children the location of Ireland in relation to the rest of the world. Display the Irish flag, discussing the colors of the flag (green, orange, and white).
Introduce children to St. Patrick. Discuss the significance St. Patrick’s Day’s popular symbols: the four leaf clover, leprechauns, blarney stone, rainbows, and the pot of gold. Explain to the children that the national emblem of Ireland is the shamrock.
Next, explore and explain the significance of the color green. Discuss that green tends to symbolize hope and nature. Ask the children to name some things that are green in nature.
Preschool Books about St. Patrick’s Day
- St. Patrick's Day Countdown by Salina Yoon [Price Stern Sloan, 2006]: This sturdy, colorful board book helps count down the days until St. Patrick’s Day with the forest friends.
- Let’s Celebrate St Patrick’s Day by Peter Roop [Millbrook Press, 2003]: This charming picture book explores the history, customs, and folklore of St. Patrick's Day and includes a craft and a recipe.
- Jack and the Leprechaun by Ivan Robertson and Katy Bratun [Random House, 2000]: Jack the mouse spends the day trying to catch a leprechaun while visiting his cousin in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day.
Irish Cooking Activity
Shamrock Ice Cream Sandwiches
Put pre-mixed sugar cookie dough into a plastic Ziploc bag, add green food coloring, and then let the children take turns squishing the bag until all of the food color is evenly distributed. Then roll the cookie dough out and cut cookies using a shamrock cookie cutter. Bake and cool. Spread softened ice cream or frosting between the cookies and serve.
Shamrock Art
Cut shamrock shapes in various sizes. Put double-sided tape on the back of each shamrock. Next let the children tape shamrocks on their own large sheet of very sturdy construction paper. Using a mixture of green paint, silver glitter, and glue, paint the entire page green. After the paint has dried, let the children remove the shamrocks to reveal their work of art.
Be sure to keep lesson plans simple, interesting and use plenty of visual aids when introducing new concepts to children. Read simple picture books about Irish history, let the children decorate the bulletin board with personalized shamrocks, present an “L is for Leprechaun” letter activity, or make an Irish flag of construction paper. Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day [Millbrook Press, 2000] by Kathy Ross has tons of ideas for simple crafts for preschoolers perfect for celebrating Irish history. Do not overwhelm them with too much information. Keep it easy and fun! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
 |
