Though Children's Day on 6th March falls on a Sunday,  it is a must for all early childhood centres and home-based services to do something to mark the day and celebrate how precious and important our babies, toddlers and preschoolers are.

What can you do?  Here's some ideas from ChildForum:

 Do something cool!!!   Open the doors of your service on Sunday for all families to come along and share their children's space.  Give children the opportunity and time to show the adults important in their lives the things they do.   Collect up and discuss with each child examples of their work, favourite toys etc so they are thinking in advance about what to show their family and friends during the open day. 

  Surprise and delight the children!!!!   Mobilise parents and staff to organise something special for children, e.g. a children's breakfast at the centre where the children are the guests of honour with full table service.   Perhaps a special children's breakfast on Sunday - or if your parents aren't working  you could do this on Monday morning.

  Help parents not to forget or run out of time to do something to mark Children's Day!!!   Offer to parents/caregivers when they pick up their child that you will look after their child for an extra half hour for free if they would like to go into the office and use the resources set out there to make their own handmade card or gift to give to their child on Children's Day.

  Share the love!!!   Make a point of giving every child an extra hug on Friday 4th March and wish them a happy Children's Day for Sunday.  Some children don't like to be hugged and can shy from touch of any kind, so be aware of this and give these children a huge smile and something to say 'I think the world of you'.

   Let kids rule for a day!!!  Celebrate the date on Monday 7th March by telling all the children that they can totally decide what they want to do - do away with the programme, the rituals, the routines and the usual activities on offer to the children each day.

   Get behind your families and help busy parents to share time with their child!!  Give each of your families official invitations to pass on to their employers from your service inviting employers to give them a morning off work on the 7th March, so they can share time with their child at their child's 'workplace' 'playplace'.   (Note: Most employers should be happy to support this idea.  They want to be family-friendly and it is after all only one morning over the course of a whole year.  An employee's productivity is improved if they have a better understanding of what their child does in childcare/ECE as they worry less and focus on their work more).

Go to the Children's Day website by clicking here for information on activities around the regions and resources including stickers and posters.

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