Every time St. Patrick’s Day arrives, I cringe thinking of all the children who fret getting pinched for not wearing green.
It’s not the pinching part I’m concerned about at all. It’s the fact that for many children, this is the one single fact they associate with St. Patrick’s Day.
Getting pinched?
Really??
I want to gather all these sadly mislead children together and take them to a field of green.
I would have them close their eyes and lay back in a comfy spot.
Then, I’d share with them the incredible magic of St. Patrick’s Day.
I would begin with the fascinating facts about leprechauns…
I would tell them that a true Leprechaun wears a red hat, not green…
That leprechauns are classified as “solitary fairies” rather than “trooping fairies” meaning they prefer to be left alone and even avoid contact with other leprechauns…
I would tell them that leprechauns pour all their time and passion into their one profession which is shoe-making. In fact, a leprechaun will always be found with a shoe in one hand and a hammer in the other. The dance-all-night fairies pay for those shoes in gold coins…
And that leprechauns can hide behind trees faster than the human eye can follow, which might explain why we are left to witness the destruction they leave behind, but never the sight of a Leprechaun himself.
There is so much uncovered knowledge to be shared about St. Patrick’s Day!
Now do you understand why I cringe about the pinching?
As parents and educators, let’s make a pact to provide more depth and meaning around these world holidays so as to fill our children and students up with the many wonders of the world.
I can’t imagine how much more excitement and celebration there might be around St. Patrick’s Day, and how much more depth and meaning this festive holiday might bring if we took the time out to educate our children just a wee bit more.
Our kids just might begin to develop a lovely connection to Irish culture and perhaps it would inspire them to learn more, read Irish folktales, do Irish art projects, or visit Ireland one day!
As parents and educators, we can do this.
It is my mission with Our Crafty World to teach as many people as possible how to bring world culture into the lives of children, so I invite you to jump on board and follow my lead.
Educating children about the world does not have to mean ornate, Pinterest-worthy art projects available for your children the minute they become bored.
But could you find one project for your children or students that works for your schedule and your budget once a month?
Educating children about the world does not have to mean perfectly prepared recipes from around the world every week.
But could you try one new recipe once a month?
Educating your children about the world does not have to mean buying or checking out hordes of books that may equal late library fees or guilt over some books having gone unread.
But could you seek out at least two books to read to your children or students once a month?
You can do this! We all can.
Remember, children who learn about the world are more likely to make a change in the world.
Let’s do our part to make that a reality for as many children as possible in our world today.
