Helping Your Child Understand Memorial Day
Every year on the last Monday in May, Americans spend a day honoring those who fought in the U.S. military and made the ultimate sacrifice. This is an easy subject for adults to grasp, especially if they’ve lived in the U.S. their whole lives. For children, it can be tricky. You may feel like you need to tread lightly. Here’s how you can help your child understand Memorial Day.
The Meaning of Heroic Sacrifices
Sacrifice means giving up one good thing for something greater. Jesus taught Christians the meaning of sacrifice by giving his life so that their sins may be forgiven in the afterlife. Soldiers also make the ultimate sacrifice so that their fellow countrymen can live in a free society. Making this comparison can help children who were raised in the Church understand why soldiers would give their lives for freedom.
The Significance of Freedom
Even after you’ve explained the meaning of sacrifice, your child may wonder why soldiers choose to risk their lives for freedom. It can help to explain what freedom means and what the alternative can look like. Freedom allows us to seek the truth and create a more just society. For Catholics, this includes the freedom to worship God, which is not a freedom everyone has around the world.
Explaining it to Children
Start by asking what your child knows about Memorial Day. With younger children, start by defining “memorial” to help them understand that it’s about remembering those who died in service to the country. With more mature children and teens, you can be more direct, saying outright that it’s about honoring members of the U.S. military who died in the line of duty. It all depends on your child and what they’re ready to hear — they may even surprise you.
Making it Relatable
An explanation can only go so far, especially for younger children. Consider attending a local Memorial Day parade with your child or laying flowers on soldiers’ graves at a local military graveyard. Even taking a moment of silence can help them understand the significance of the day. The U.S. officially observes a moment of silence at 3 p.m. every Memorial Day.
At our Titusville Catholic school, we believe knowledge empowers children to thrive, especially with difficult subject matter. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop their full potential. Teachers foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and equip students for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.