Making Connections with Family History: Celebrating Mother's Day or Father's Day
Wow it's already May and Mother's Day and Father's Day are fast approaching.
Are you looking for a special and engaging way to celebrate Mother's Day, Sunday May 12th and Father's Day, Sunday June 16th. Here are some great ways to engage our youth in learning about their ancestors and family history and traditions.
Create striking, printable family trees! Maybe you've seen the standard pedigree chart, which is one way to show your ancestors. But, there are many different styles and formats from which to choose. Let your children or the kids you are helping choose the style they like. Explore some of the various options below:
- 6, 7, and 9 generation colorful fan chart
- Artistic Keepsake family trees (for a few generations)
- Word cloud (surnames or first names)
- Portrait family trees
As you add the different generations to your family tree, or as you review them before printing, share family stories about the person or characteristics that the children share with their ancestors. Consider framing the chart or keepsake and put on the wall in the child's room. Another fun idea: Enlarge the family tree chart or keepsake, laminate, and use as a placemat. Each family member can choose their favorite and share stories during dinnertime. Maybe choose an ancestor's homeland to make a family recipe or recipe from that country. There's so much you can do with a Family Tree chart or keepsake to engage the children and youth in your life!
Make the Mother's and Father's days a fun and engaging way to share the "Spirit of Elijah" with your children and exciting them about doing Family History Research.