Republic Day is coming up! We know it’s the day when our country’s constitution came into effect. But how do we teach our little ones the importance of this day? You might think your 4 –year-old is too young to understand big ideas and words like republic and constitution and patriotism. But, we’re here to tell you it’s never too early to start. Here are some fun activities to introduce Republic Day to your child so that, over time, they understand the significance of it all.
Watch the parade together
Idea number one is pretty obvious. Every year there’s the grand Republic Day parade held in Delhi. Dignitaries are in attendance, the army, navy and air force put on a grand display, states showcase floats representing their unique culture or contribution to the country. It doesn’t get better than this when it comes to introducing your child to the country they call home. So, on Republic Day, gather in front of the television with your family and watch the parade. Talk about it with your kid, answer any questions they might have and get the ball rolling.
Read the books!
Nowadays, children’s books cover every conceivable subject out there. In simple language and lovely stories all manner of complicated topics are conveyed in a way your child can understand. In ‘We, the children of India,’ by Leila Seth and illustrated by Bindia Thapar, the former Chief Justice of India breaks down the preamble in easy terms. There are captivating illustrations and photographs to further draw the child in. You can find the book here. You also have children’s books on freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, the history of India, elections and democracy told in creative and interesting ways. So grab a few, read them with your child and help them understand their country better.
Make a Map
Take a sheet of chart paper and draw out a map of India. Mark out the states with your little one. Have your child stick pictures of historical landmarks in specific states, or you could even draw it out and have them colour it in. Which state grows the most rice paddy? West Bengal, as I just learned. So have your child stick grains of rice on the map where West Bengal is. What’s the state dance form of Manipur? Manipuri, that’s an easy one. Find a picture of a Manipuri dancer with your child and have them place it where the state is. So on and so forth you can fill up the entire map. This is a great way to teach your child about their country and its diversity.
Attend a flag hoisting
Your neighborhood, apartment complex, or even the local community centre will have a flag hoisting ceremony come Republic Day. While it’s a great idea to take your child for it, before you go do a couple of activities so that they’ll get more out of the event. Make a flag with your child, teach them the words of the national anthem, show them pictures of the people who helped frame our constitution and built our country. This will make them more excited and interested and they are sure to have plenty of questions and observations.
We hope the above ideas help you introduce this red-letter day in our country’s history to your child. And may this just be the beginning in raising responsible, inclusive and woke citizens of tomorrow. Happy Republic Day!