In early childhood education settings we always get excited about celebrating special days in the year. Father’s Day is a favourite among children each year, but much like Mother’s Day and Easter 2020, depending on where you are located it might have to be celebrated a little differently this year. Luckily, we like a challenge so we have plenty of ideas to help support you in making dads feel appreciated on Sunday 6 September.
Hopefully, many dads will be treated to a wonderful Father’s Day celebration, but for many their day will be impacted by pandemic restrictions. However, don’t worry — we’ll still make this day special! Here’s how:
Live celebration and presentation
Centres ordinarily do a morning or afternoon tea to show dads and the special male role models in children’s lives just how appreciated they are. This year, consider doing it online!
Using an online video conferencing platform is a great way to involve children and families. You can host it live, or share a video with your centre’s families for your children to sing along to at a time that suits them. We’ll be live streaming a presentation by children followed by a virtual morning tea! Currently, we’re sharing a video of our Father’s Day poem via our free Music Kinder at Home group on Facebook if you would like to join in the fun and learn this poem for dads!
Your centre might also like to consider sending out some packs to families to help them celebrate Father’s Day, including some ideas for gifts. Here are a few to get you started…
Inspire Children to Make Father’s Day Special
Breakfast in bed
It’s simple, but special — everyone loves the classic breakfast in bed. Find out their favourite morning meal and help the children make the delicious creation.Alternatively, order it in from the local café and children can take it in as waiters. Either way, breakfast in bed will put a smile on dad’s face when he wakes up on Father’s Day (after his sleep in, of course!).
Movie marathon
Why not bring the cinema experience to dad? Heat up the popcorn and favourite movie snacks, set up the chairs or couches in the lounge, turn the lights off and put on dad’s favourite movies! Children could even make movie tickets to complete the experience!
Portraits of dads
Seeing yourself through your child’s eyes at various stages of their lives is something to treasure. Support children in getting crafty and creating a portrait of their dad for Father’s Day. This might be a painting, a drawing or even an air-drying clay sculpture. Don’t forget to mark the year on it so you can remember how old children were when it was conjured up (and how old dad was!).
Experiences for dad online
Jump onto the website Red Balloon or similarto find online cooking lessons, art classes, woodwork workshops and more. Alternatively, buy a voucher for a future experience.
We hope you manage to show dads and special men in children’s lives just how appreciated they are on Father’s Day and every day! Don’t forget, you can head over to Music Kinder at Home FB Group for support with marking this occasion and lots of other learning from home resources with experienced and caring educators: facebook.com/groups/musickinderathome1upto8years
