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A Handful of February Celebrations
February is packed full of days to celebrate. The next few days are no exception. Here at readilearn, we support your celebrations with suggestions and lessons ready to teach.
Chinese New Year
Today 12 February is celebrated around the world as Chinese New Year. While the New Year celebrations may continue for up to sixteen days, today is the main day and it ushers in the Year of the Ox. Chinese New Year is a time for families to be, and celebrate, together.
Chinese New Year classroom resources
These resources are always free:
Let’s read about Chinese New Year
Celebrating Chinese New Year in the early childhood classroom
Happy Chinese New Year bookmarks
Author Spotlight — Sofia Goodsoul
This unit is free until 19 February:
Family Traditions and Celebrations
Valentines’ Day
Valentines’ Day is celebrated on 14 February.
It is a perfect time to encourage children to write their own I love poems based on the traditional camping song I love the mountains.
Library Lovers’ Day
Also celebrated on 14 February, Library Lovers’ Day is a perfect day for visiting a library, especially if you haven’t done so or a while.
If you’re unsure about why libraries are important and why we should love them, let Neil Gaiman convince you. If you are certain about the importance of libraries and already love them, Let Neil Gaiman confirm it for you. I think almost every statement in this brief video is a bottle-able quote.
International Book Giving Day
Another celebration on 14 February is International Book Giving Day. If you’re not sure which of these three events to celebrate, why not celebrate all three. It’s easy. Take someone you love to the library and gift them a book.
Actually, Book Giving Day is about getting books into the hands of as many children as possible. One of the suggestions on the website is to leave a book in a public place as a gift for an unknown child. There are free bookmarks and bookplates you can download for the purpose.
Another suggestion is to gift to charities that support children’s literacy. Some are listed on the website. There is also Library For All, with whom I have two books published.
So, even for those who don’t have children of their own to gift a book, there are other ways to share the joy. Who knows, a simple gift may initiate a lifelong love of reading.
While I often say that a love of reading is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child, the gift giving is not limited to parents.
Pancake Day
This year Pancake Day falls on 16 February. Why not make pancakes with your children or perhaps have a pancake race?
This pikelet recipe is quick and easy to make with adult support and supervision. While children are following the recipes, they are learning:
- Literacy: to read to follow instructions
- Maths: to use language and tools for measuring volume
- Science — Chemistry: mixing, adding heat
Enjoy the celebrations!
For other dates in February to celebrate, you can access the free resource February Days and Events to Celebrate in the Classroom which has been updated for 2021.
While you are here, remember to check out the complete readilearn collection of
over 450 teaching resources for the first three years of school
Resources beyond worksheets – lessons for teachers made by teachers.
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I appreciate your feedback and comments. Please share your thoughts below.
These are all lovely holidays to share with children, Norah. I’ve been learning a lot about the Chinese New Year this year. I don’t recall it being so prominent in the past, but it is very interesting.
It’s always interesting to find out about others tradtions, Robbie. There’s so much to know.
I agree, Norah. I find African traditions and culture very interesting.
I haven’t started there yet, Robbie. You’ll have to teach me some. 🙂
it’s nice to have things to celebrate during just about the bleakest month on the calendar!
Why do you consider February the bleakest month?
It’s winter, there’s no Christmas like December has, or the start of a new year like January, and it’s not the end of winter like March. So tome, it doesn’t have much going for it… 🙂 (except that it is so short…)
Thanks for explaining. I understand now. Poor February.
yes, poor February… 🙂
A beautiful month for celebrations. I love that you added Chinese New Year 🙂
It’s always good to have days to celebrate, Debby. (Like every day. 🤩) Chinese New Year celebrations have been very different for so many again this year.
So true on both counts 🙂 x
Exactly.
Happy February, Norah! 💞 Wonderful ways to share the love…
Thank you, Bette. Happy February to you, too. 🙂