Teaching Young Children About President’s Day
President’s Day (February 17) is a great time to teach preschoolers about U.S. presidents in a fun and simple way. Since young children learn best through play, stories, and hands-on activities, here are some easy ways to help them understand what this holiday is all about.
What is President’s Day?
President’s Day is a holiday to celebrate past and present U.S. presidents. It is held on the third Monday of February. Many people honor famous presidents like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Since preschoolers may not understand big ideas like government, keep it simple. Explain that a president is a leader who helps make important decisions for our country. You can compare it to how a teacher leads the classroom or how parents lead at home.
Fun Ways to Teach About Presidents
- Read Books About Presidents
Choose books with colorful pictures and simple words. Some good options include:
- Duck for President by Doreen Cronin (a fun way to explain elections)
- George Washington’s Teeth by Deborah Chandra (a silly but true story)
- I Am Abraham Lincoln by Brad Meltzer (a simple biography)
Reading stories helps preschoolers easily connect with history.
- Make a Paper Coin Rubbing
Presidents appear on money, so help kids make their own coin rubbings! It’s a fun activity to do at nursery school and Pre-K too.
- Place a coin under a piece of paper.
- Rub a crayon over it to see the design appear.
- Talk about how George Washington is on the quarter, and Abraham Lincoln is on the penny.
- Play a “Who Wore It?” Hat Game
Show pictures of Lincoln’s tall hat and Washington’s white wig.
- Ask kids which president wore which item.
- Let them try on a pretend wig or hat to make it fun!
- Build a Log Cabin with Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln grew up in a log cabin. Use craft sticks to build tiny cabins with glue and paper. This helps kids with fine motor skills while learning history.
- Sing a President’s Day Song
Make up a simple song to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”:
“Washington and Lincoln, too, worked so hard for me and you! Presidents help lead the way, let’s all celebrate today!”
Singing helps kids remember new ideas in a fun way.
Why President’s Day Matters
Even though preschoolers are young, learning about leaders helps them understand respect, responsibility, and history. Keep the lessons simple and fun, and they will enjoy celebrating President’s Day!
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By: Melissa A. Kay
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