Early Childhood Education: August 2009

Introducing Feasts and Seasons the Easy Way

By Anne Neuberger

It is wonderful to introduce preschoolers to the many symbols and colors of our Catholic feasts. However, limited prep and classroom time may keep you from emphasizing this as much as you’d like.

One remedy is to have a ‘tree of feasts and seasons.’ Set up a small, bare branch (like an Easter egg tree) in your classroom. Before school starts, create a supply of simple symbols and gather other symbols. Put these into large envelops or zippered bags, and place all in a box. You will have everything you need at your fingertips to decorate for an upcoming feast! You can decorate for one feast (e.g. guardian angels day) or for a month of feasts (e.g. for October: St. Therese, guardians angels, St. Francis, Halloween)

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SYMBOL BOX:

To make:

Make very simple felt symbols by drawing a shape on felt, cutting out two of this shape, placing stuffing between the two shapes, and sewing around the edges. Create a ‘hanger’ by drawing thread through the top of the symbol and creating a loop, or use paper clips for hangers.

Materials needed:

• Felt in various colors
• Pencil
• Needle
• Thread or embroidery floss
• Fabric scissors
• Stuffing (quilt fiber or cotton balls)
• Glue

If you wish to embellish these:

• Glitter
• Glitter glue
• Fabric markers
• Beads
• Yarn
• Ribbon
• Chenille craft sticks (pipe cleaners)
• Wood craft sticks

Symbols easily made from felt:

• Fish
• Angel
• Star
• Dove
• Cross
• Empty tomb
• Candles
• Water
• Trees
• Chalice
• Triangle (Trinity)
• Butterfly
• Boat
• Rainbow
• Hearts
• Sun
• Moon
• Flame

To gather:

Many symbols can be purchased inexpensively in craft supply stores, fabric stores, and religious stores. (After Christmas and Easter, seek out sales on decorations that are religious). Ask friends who sew or craft for scraps or check out yard sales, too.

• Ribbons in liturgical colors
• Garlands of stars (angels, Mary, Christmas, Epiphany)
• Angels (archangels, guardian angels, Advent, Christmas)
• Heart garland (St. Valentine, Sacred Heart)
• Tiny baskets (1-2”) (Lent for almsgiving, Easter, new life)
• Small silk flowers
• Bag of pretzels (Lent)
• Tiny crosses
• Finger rosaries
• Candy canes (Good Shepherd, St. Nicholas)
• Small plastic skeletons (Days of the Dead)
• Picture holy cards of saints (punch a hole in the top and thread with narrow ribbon)
• Very small stuffed animals (St. Francis, St. Martin de Porres, animals associated with Jesus, new life)

Visit Anne Neuberger's web site! www.anneneuberger.com