Honoring 9/11 at school is Kindness, Peace, and Love Day. It has been twenty years since that tragic day in September, and for children it is a day to remember the heroes. How do we help young children honor the brave people on 9/11? By remembering and celebrating how people were united in brotherhood and came together to help each other. We talk about heroes – firefighters, police officers, nurses, doctors, teachers…
Yes, heroes. They are the ones who face a tragedy and find goodness and strength. We can, too. Children can be heroes. There is a hero in us all.
We hold the American flag. I talk to children filled with big eyes and wearing red, white, and blue. I show them how to stand and put their hand on their heart. We sing “God Bless America.” Then I ask, “Who is a hero?” The shout-outs are terrific:
Firefighters! Police officers! Teachers! Moms!
“You can be a hero, too. Yes, you can. You can help a friend. You can spread kindness. And when you see a firefighter or a police officer, please say ‘thank you’. So who’s going to celebrate Kindness, Peace and Love Day?” Every hand went up.
We then sing one of our favorite songs about America, “Red, White and Blue” by Debbie Clement. While the song is a book, based on quilting America, it is the children’s favorite.
We listen to Lee Greenwood and The Singing Sergeants singing “God Bless the USA.” If you haven’t heard this rendition of the song, you’re in for a treat. Grab a tissue.
We will never forget 9/11, and we will always celebrate Kindness, Peace, and Love Day.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
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Thank you, Michael!
Always with a great pleasure, and very thankful for the information, Jennie! xx Michael
A great remembrance, Jennie! Thank you for your efforts on this, too. Horrible things had happened, and now after 20 years we only can grief. xx Michael
Well said, Michael. Thank you!
:-)) Thank you as well, Jennie! xx
I wish that more human beings on planet earth were blessed with being taught by you, Jennie! Let us hope/trust that the ripples of kindness, peace and love that you have been spreading for the many years in your classroom (and in your blog) are continuing to pulse around the globe… We need all the kindness, peace and love we can muster these days!
Hear, hear!
That is so very kind to say, Will! I feel that with the same passion as you do. On a side note, I am an invited guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show to talk about this kind of passion when it comes to children and reading aloud. The show airs October 5th.
It still gives me chills to read about people’s experiences that day and what they remember doing… Our world pre-911 was so different… It really changed all our lives whether we were American or not.. The only other event that I can think of that’s had a great impact on the world is this current pandemic… How we think, do and interact… God bless America. ❤️
Amen!!
We need to teach our children kindness, love and peace, but we also need to remember the events and the heroes. I love that you do that for them. I love that song and I say God Bless, all of us.
Well said, Carla. I echo your words.
what a lovely way to remmber 9/11. and a beautiful song…
Thank you, Jim. Finding an appropriate way to teach about 9/11 to preschoolers is challenging. This fits well.
kindness, peace, and love never go out of style…
Never! 🙂
👍
Well said, Jennie. You inspire another generation of children to be kind and thoughtful. What more could we ask for in this world.
That’s pretty much it, all we really need.
That day will be cemented on the minds of all those who were alive to remember it. I love how you teach kindness, in association with remembrance 💜
Thank you, Ritu. Finding a meaningful and appropriate way for preschoolers was a challenge. Our kindergarten teacher way back then started Kindness, Peace, and Love Day. I have continued with the wonderful tradition.
It is a wonderful tradition, Jennie🥰
❤️
We all should celebrate Kindness, Peace, and Love Day the whole world over.
Yes!!
❤ beautiful
Thank you, Beth!
Wonderful, I will remember Kindness Peace and Love day first next time round.
Thank you, FR!
What a wonderful way to remember this day, Jennie.
We all changed that day. But we must live well to honour those who did not survive.
I like “Kindness, peace and love day” better than “Patriot Day”. Just sayin’…
🙂
Beautiful remembrance method, Jennie
Thank you, John.
I’ve been on the west coast, so I’m finally trying to catch up.
The West Coast always leaves one a little light headed. The Union of Socialist Republic of California takes some getting used to for sure.
I’m so glad to hear you say that! I just gave you a fist bump. Actually, I flew there to be on the Kelly Clarkson Show. The show airs October 5th. Stay tuned.
Excellent.
Such a beautiful song❤️
Yes, it is! 💕
Of course, we’re all thinking of our memories of this horrific day today. I like the way you’re choosing to remember it. I was teaching 2nd grade at the time, and I recall watching the horrible news reports as I was getting ready for work. My first thoughts went to my second graders as I knew many would be coming to school having seen those same images. There is no handbook for days like that. My only concern was to let them know they were safe (I hoped) in my classroom. It was all they wanted to talk about, trying to make sense of the impossible. It was hard to know what to do because some were still scared. Would talking about it scare them even more? I also remember parents showing up in the middle of the school day to hug their kids or pull them out of school. My memory has gotten worse about many things over the years, but I remember all of that as clear as day.
I bet your memory is crystal clear. I can’t imagine going through that day with older children. Of course they were scared, and needed your comfort. Our son was at the Naval Academy, and they were in lockdown, ready to do whatever might be needed. Parents came to pick up their children, teachers were scared, and we were on overload hugging children.
Lovely. Do you know the M People song? Search for a hero? Seems apposite. https://g.co/kgs/dDmZVk
I love the song, not the video. Thank you, Geoff.
That’s a wonderful remembrance and tradition, Jennie!
Thank you, Deborah!
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Thank you.
Wonderful, Jennie. I love your title for the day. Have no idea why it would be called Patriots Day.
Patriots Day is in April, to recognize the start of Revolutionary War here in New England. Thank you, Don.
Yes, that makes since. I don’t know when 9/11 was called Patriot Day.
I didn’t realize that 9/11 was called Patriot Day. Shame on me. The official Patriots Day marking the start of the Revolutionary War in Concord, MA (the shot heard round the world) is only celebrated in New England. This was new to me when we moved here.
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Thank you.
This is a lovely tradition, Jennie. It’s things like this that mean we will not forget.
Thank you, Dan. I feel the same way.
Peace and love
How wonderful to take a tragedy like 9/11 and turn it into a lesson on kindness and heroism for pre-school kids who really have no idea of the horrors that happened on that day.
Thank you! It really works, and gives teachers another opportunity to talk about everyday heroes.
A day that should always be celebrated this way.
Hugs Galore
Yes, indeed! Thank you, David.
I have said for many years that the reason there is so much hate in the world is because parents teach their children by example to live as they live. If they’re racist then there’s a fair chance their children will be too. Teachers are our best hope to counter that as they display an alternative way to operate, especially in a multicultural school. I think teachers have a value far beyond that which they receive as a salary.
Huge Hugs
David, you are exactly right. I feel a huge responsibility as a teacher to make sure I introduce children to acceptance. I know parents don’t always have tolerance or understanding. So, it’s up to me. I do that through reading aloud, and through our classroom puppet ‘Gloria’. She is a wonder. The rewards are tenfold compared to the salary. Tomorrow’s blog post is a great example. Actually it is huge.