Early Childhood Education

Ember Days and Our Children

By Anne E. Neuberger

Centuries ago, people celebrated nature feasts at the change of seasons. Eventually, before the 1000’s,these became Christian observances, with fasting and prayer for spiritual renewal and blessings on crops and harvests.

 There were called Ember Days, from the Angle-Saxon word ymbren, meaning revolution, because they "come around" four times a year. The summer observance is Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of Pentecost week.

Utilize the idea of Ember Days to help preschoolers connect nature, our food, and God the Creator.

• Observe crops growing: visit a garden, farm fields, or a plant nursery.
• Talk about the aspects of God’s creation found there: soil, sunshine, water, human work, seeds. God made all these things, which means God gives us our food.
• Help children develop a sense of awe of God’s power and gifts. Most children are somewhat familiar with pumpkins. Look at pumpkin seeds. Talk about the power within them to grow into a huge plant. Then look at a young pumpkin plant. Imagine how big the plant will get: have a child stand in one place “where the seed is planted.” Then walk about eight feet away from the child, explaining that the plant will reach at least that far. Pumpkins get very heavy. The plants become very strong to help big pumpkins grow. God gave them that power!
• Have children act being pumpkin seeds in the ground. As they curl up on the floor, talk about God giving them strength, warmth, water. The children slowly stand up and stretch their arms out like big pumpkin plants.
• Teach children the “Johnny Apple seed” prayer:

Oh, the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord,

for giving me the things I need,

the sun and the rain and the apple seed;

the Lord is good to me! Alleluia! Amen.