As summer approaches, try to plan activities that are specific to upcoming events.   National holidays during the summer are Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th and others.  If children are not aware of why we celebrate these holidays, they are also unaware of events that have shaped our nation.

There are three documents that illustrate why the United States was founded and what the original intent was for our nation. These papers are called the Freedom Documents -  Declaration of Independence, US Constitution with its Preamble and Bill of Rights Knowing and being educated about American history is key as children become exposed to other cultures and governments so they can correctly compare our way of life to others The word “freedom” is spoken so frequently with the upcoming Presidential election and the Summer Olympics in Beijing, that children may not recognize its significance.  A beginning lesson on freedom can start by reviewing the “4 Freedoms” speech by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in January of 1941. First, ask family members to write down what they feel are their  4 essential freedoms here in America One person wrote down:  freedom of travel/movement freedom of choice freedom of worship freedom of speech/expression Second, print out a copy of  FDR's  “4 Freedoms”  speech or listen to his speech  on the Internet.  President Roosevelt gave this speech as Americans listened to their radios – TV was not available so listening on the Internet is a reminder of what listening to the radio was like.

Third, follow up by printing from the Internet copies of the posters that Norman Rockwell painted in 1943 to reinforce visually the 4 Freedoms as America entered World War II. The first – freedom of speech and expression The second – freedom of every person to worship God in his own way The third – freedom from want The fourth - freedom from fear

Norman Rockwell's 4 Freedoms Posters

Compare each person's list of essential freedoms to FDR's list which contains 4 of the freedoms featured in our Declaration of Independence. Look at each of the posters and chat about the way Rockwell painted the picture to illustrate each freedom. An older child can put into their own words what the freedom from want (to have economic prosperity) and freedom from fear (physical security) means to them. A young child can make a puzzle from a freedom poster. Print out the poster, glue on to piece of construction paper.  On the back draw puzzle pieces and cut out the pieces. As a child puts the puzzle together use words like President Roosevelt, freedom, Norman Rockwell, and America.

With just a little bit of learning throughout the upcoming summer, a child can become more aware of their roots of being an American that will enable them to grow into a responsible citizen.

The Declaration of Independence