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