Teaching Presidents Day in Childcare: Simple, Meaningful Ideas - post

Presidents Day can be more than a day off from school. In child care and classrooms, it can be a simple, meaningful way to help children learn about leadership, community, and helping others. The best part? You can teach these ideas with fun, age-appropriate activities that work for infants through school-age children. #PresidentsDay

What is Presidents Day, and how do you explain it to children?

Presidents Day is a U.S. holiday that honors presidents and leadership in our country. For young children, you do not need a long history lesson.

Try a simple explanation like:

• “Presidents help lead our country.”

• “A leader is someone who helps others and makes good choices.”

• “We can practice being good leaders in our classroom, too.” #Leadership

Keep it calm and positive. Focus on values children can understand, like helping, listening, fairness, and kindness.

Why celebrate Presidents Day at school or in child care?

Presidents Day can be a learning lesson in ways that fit every age. It’s a great time to practice:

• Social studies skills: learning about community helpers and leaders

• Language skills: talking, listening, and new words

• Social-emotional skills: sharing, taking turns, using kind words

• Character building: honesty, courage, and responsibility

• Family partnerships: sharing classroom learning with families

It also helps children feel connected to their community—especially when you keep activities hands-on and simple. #CivicsForKids

How do you keep Presidents Day activities respectful and inclusive?

Classrooms include many families with different backgrounds and experiences. Keep your celebration welcoming by:

• Focusing on leadership traits (helping, listening, fairness)

• Avoiding arguments or “right vs. wrong” political talk

• Using phrases like “Some people believe…” or “Many families celebrate in different ways”

• Letting families know what you’re doing (a short note helps)

A good goal is: teach children how to be thoughtful citizens, not how to debate.

What are easy Presidents Day activities for infants and toddlers?

Infants and toddlers learn through relationships, routines, and sensory play. Keep it short, safe, and simple.

Infants (0–12 months)

• Look at baby-safe picture cards of flags, stars, and simple faces

• Sing a “leader helper” song (repeat simple words: “We help, we help!”)

• Do a gentle mirror activity: “You are important. You are a helper.”

Toddlers (1–3 years)

• Practice “leader jobs” like line helper, nap helper, or book helper

• Make a simple art project with stickers: stars, stripes, red/white/blue shapes

• Do a “follow the leader” movement game (march, clap, tiptoe)

Tip: Toddlers love roles. Use the word “helper” often—it feels real and positive.

What are fun Presidents Day activities for preschoolers?

Preschoolers are ready for simple stories, pretend play, and basic class rules about fairness.

Try these preschool-friendly ideas:

• Classroom election (very simple): Vote on the read-aloud book or snack choice

• “What makes a good leader?” chart: Children help you list words like kind, brave, fair

• Building activity: Use blocks to build “important buildings” (a school, a library, a town hall)

• Kindness chain: Each paper link has a kind action (help a friend, share toys)

Keep the message clear: “A leader helps people.” Then connect it to the classroom: “We can all be leaders.”

What are strong learning activities for school-age children?

School-age children can handle bigger ideas, especially when you make them active and creative.

School-age activity ideas

• Leadership interview: Children interview a teacher or staff member: “How do you lead?”

• Timeline strip: Make a simple classroom timeline of “leaders in my life” (family, teachers, coaches)

• Speech writing (short): “If I were a leader, I would…”

• Service project: Write thank-you notes for community helpers (library staff, custodians, school nurses)

• Fact vs. story talk: If you share famous stories about presidents, remind children some stories are traditions and may not be fully proven—then focus on the lesson (honesty, responsibility)

This age group also enjoys teamwork. Put children in small groups to plan a “leadership poster” they can present to the class.

How can you celebrate Presidents Day as a whole school or program?

A whole-school celebration does not have to be expensive or complicated. Try one shared theme: leadership and service.

Here are simple group ideas:

• “Leader of the Day” rotation (every class chooses one child each day that week)

• Hallway display: “We are leaders when we…”

• Leadership pledge: A short class promise like, “We listen, we help, we are kind.”

• Community helper day: Invite a local helper to visit (or do a short video message)

For ready-to-use classroom materials, use this ChildCareEd resource: https://www.childcareed.com/r-00761-presidents-day.html

How do you connect Presidents Day to real classroom skills?

Presidents Day is a great “why” behind everyday classroom expectations. You can connect it to:

• Taking turns: “Leaders wait and share.”

• Listening: “Leaders listen before they speak.”

• Problem-solving: “Leaders look for fair solutions.”

• Helping: “Leaders notice who needs support.”

If you want more activity ideas and printables, this ChildCareEd article is a helpful add-on: https://www.childcareed.com/a/presidents-day-activities.html

How can you involve families in a simple way?

Family connection makes learning stick. Keep it easy and low-pressure.

Try sending home one question:

• “Who is a leader in your family or community, and why?”

Or invite families to share:

• A photo of a community helper they admire

• A short note about a leader they respect (a grandparent, coach, neighbor)

Also, remind families that the goal is character and learning—not politics.

Which ChildCareEd courses support leadership learning and strong teamwork?

Presidents Day is really about leadership—so it’s a great time to strengthen your own leadership skills, too. These ChildCareEd courses connect well to planning a respectful celebration, working with families, and leading a classroom team:

• Ways to Serve Leadership: https://www.childcareed.com/courses-ways-to-serve-leadership.html

• Professional Partnerships Practices: https://www.childcareed.com/courses-professional-partnerships-practices.html

• The Foundations of Coaching & Mentoring: https://www.childcareed.com/courses-the-foundations-of-coaching-mentoring.html

These trainings can help you build a classroom culture where children practice leadership every day—not just on a holiday week. #EarlyChildhoodEducation

Where can you get more tips and activity ideas?

For quick classroom ideas, printable reminders, and training updates, follow ChildCareEd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childcareed/