Thanksgiving is a special time of year when families gather to express gratitude and share a delicious meal. As childcare providers, you have the opportunity to create a memorable and educational experience for the little ones in your care. In this article, we will explore a variety of fun activities and easy recipes that will engage children in the spirit of Thanksgiving while promoting their development and learning.

Teaching Gratitude through Crafts

Craft activities are a fantastic way to engage children in the theme of Thanksgiving while teaching them the importance of gratitude. One simple and creative craft idea is to make “Thankfulness Turkeys.” To create these turkeys, you will need a few basic materials such as construction paper, markers, and a toilet paper roll.

Start by encouraging the children to draw a face on the toilet paper roll to represent the turkey’s body. Next, cut out several long ovals from the construction paper, which will serve as the turkey’s feathers. Each child can then write or draw something they are thankful for on each feather. Finally, glue the feathers to the back of the toilet paper roll to create a personalized thankfulness turkey. These turkeys can be displayed throughout the month of November, serving as a reminder of the things the children are grateful for.

Helping Out in the Kitchen

Thanksgiving is a time when families come together to prepare a delicious feast. Involving children in the cooking process not only teaches them valuable skills but also instills a sense of appreciation for the effort that goes into meal preparation. As a childcare provider, you can incorporate age-appropriate kitchen tasks into your Thanksgiving activities.

For younger children, tasks such as tearing lettuce, washing vegetables, or mashing potatoes can be engaging and fun. These activities not only contribute to meal preparation but also allow children to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Older children can participate in more complex tasks such as measuring ingredients, stirring mixtures, or decorating desserts. By involving children in the kitchen, you are fostering their sense of responsibility and teaching them the value of teamwork.

Reading Stories of Gratitude

Storytime is a cherished activity in any childcare setting, and Thanksgiving provides an excellent opportunity to introduce children to stories that emphasize gratitude and appreciation. There are numerous children’s books available that teach the importance of being thankful.

One recommended book is “Stone Soup.” This classic tale showcases the power of collaboration and gratitude. As you read the story, encourage the children to bring an ingredient to the table, just like the characters in the book. This interactive activity reinforces the idea that everyone’s contribution is valuable and fosters a sense of community among the children.

Thanksgiving Recipes

These recipes are from My Plate.

Roast Turkey Breast with Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme

Ingredients

• 3 pounds turkey breast half (with skin and bones)
• 1 onion, large quartered
• 1 carrot, large quartered
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper (to taste, optional)
• chicken broth, low sodium (or margarine, for basting, optional)

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
3. Place turkey breast in roasting pan along with onion and carrot.
4. Mix spices with olive oil. Rub turkey with olive oil.
5. Roast turkey at 400°F for 15 minutes. Baste with margarine and chicken broth (optional).
6. Reduce turkey temperature to 350°F and roast turkey, basting every 20 minutes with pan juices (or margarine and chicken broth), about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until meat thermometer inserted in thick part of meat registers 165°F.
7. Remove to carving board and let rest for 10 minutes.

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes (6 medium)
• 1 cup milk, low-fat
• 3 tablespoons margarine or butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (ground)

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Peel the potatoes, and cut them into chunks.
3. Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover them.
4. Cook the potatoes on medium heat for 15 minutes or until tender.
5. Remove the potatoes from the heat. Drain the water off the potatoes.
6. Mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher.
7. Stir in enough milk to make the potatoes smooth and creamy.
8. Add the butter, salt and pepper.

Pumpkin Cheese Pie

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, reduced fat
• 8 ounces cream cheese, non-fat
• 2 egg
• 4 egg whites
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 cans pumpkin (29 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 graham cracker pie crusts (9 inch)

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Place the cream cheese, eggs, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix at medium speed until creamed. Add the remaining ingredients and mix at medium speed until ingredients are well mixed.
4. Spoon the mixture evenly in each pie crust and place both in the oven for approximately 50 minutes until pies look firm in the middle.

Remember, the key is to engage children through age-appropriate activities such as crafting thankfulness turkeys, involving them in kitchen tasks, reading stories of gratitude, and taking virtual field trips to learn about the history of Thanksgiving. By modeling appreciation and gratitude in your interactions, you create an environment where children learn to value and express their gratitude for the people and things around them.

This Thanksgiving, let’s make it a truly special and meaningful celebration for the children in our care. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your little ones!