Early Childhood Education: May 2009

May is Mary's Month

By Anne Neuberger

The Flowers of Mary Coloring Book (PDF)»

Mary, the Mother of God stories and activities for May (PDF)»

Helping young children come to appreciate Mary is not difficult. They can easily understand that she was a loving mommy to little Jesus. You can speak too of Mary being a mother to us all, whom we cannot see, but nonetheless watches over and loves us.

 There are many delightful and tender traditions surrounding our blessed Mother. One is the use of flowers to symbolize different aspects of Mary. Here is a coloring booklet (PDF format) about some of these flowers. Make a copy for each child to color and assemble. Craft stores may carry at least one of these flowers in silk. Bring in these (or real ones if possible) to place on the table when children are making their books.

 The booklets can be just a lesson in a Catholic tradition, but can also be given as a mother’s day gift. Consider too having the children making booklets to give to older women in your parish.

The late Ann Ball has a wonderful article on her web site about Mary, Mary Gardens, and Mary’s flowers. Read about Mary Gardens here»

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