Children’s books are a wonderful resource for not only entertaining kids but also educating them on important themes. With International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8th each year, it’s the perfect opportunity to integrate activities based on children’s books that highlight women’s achievements, stories of female empowerment and contributions to history.
Integrating Book Activities for International Women’s Day:
1.Storytime Sessions: Organize storytime sessions with biographical children’s books that tell the stories of notable women in history. Books like ‘I am Amelia Earhart’ by Brad Meltzer, ‘Rosie Revere, Engineer’ by Andrea Beaty, or ‘Malala’s Magic Pencil’ by Malala Yousafzai can inspire both girls and boys.
2.Creative Crafts: After reading stories such as ‘The Paper Bag Princess’ by Robert Munsch, kids can engage in crafting their own paper crowns or designing outfits for their storybook heroines using recyclable materials.
3.Role-Playing Activities: Encourage role-playing where children can act out scenes from their favorite books about inspiring women like Wangari Maathai or Jane Goodall. This helps deepen their connection with the characters and the lessons they teach.
4.Book Character Parade: Have a parade where children come dressed as their favorite female characters from literature. This celebration adds an element of excitement and allows for a showcase of a diverse range of women represented in children’s books.
5.Discussion Time: Foster critical thinking with group discussions on what children have learned about the women featured in the stories they read. This can be about historical events, the women’s specific contributions, or character traits that helped them succeed.
6.Art Projects: Illustrate scenes from books such as ‘Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls’ by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo. Illustrations can portray moments in the lives of the women featured or abstract interpretations of their accomplishments.
7.Writing Exercises: Motivate kids to write letters to their favorite book heroines or even to real-life female role models they’ve learned about through reading.
8.Interactive Games: Create trivia games based on facts from the books read or puzzles featuring illustrations from famous children’s books celebrating women.
9.Community Involvement: Plan visits to local libraries or bookstores where readings by female authors are taking place or invite influential women in your community for a meet-and-greet with children after reading sessions.
10.Drama Performances: Dramatize a favorite book with full casting from class members and perform for parents or other classes under themes related to International Women’s Day.
These activities not only make learning fun but also instill respect and acknowledgment for the feats of women throughout history and today, all through the engaging world of children’s literature.
