Women’s Month is upon us and while we may take the much-deserved opportunity to revel in a little self-care and pampering, August is also an important chance for parents to remind their daughters of the history of women’s month, and the value they hold and provide society.
Women’s Day is celebrated on 9 August annually and commemorates the march of around 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in protest against the pass laws of the time. During Women’s Month, we celebrate strong women who show bravery and determination, making changes when they are most needed.
It may seem like a rather adult day to celebrate with a young child, but there are simple and enjoyable ways you can introduce Women’s Day and Month to your children and help them to appreciate the courageous women who have come before us. Let’s look at some of these ways and help you to get into the mood for a restful, fun Women’s Month this August.
Women’s Month: Why Do We Celebrate?
Women’s Day is on 9 August every year. It is a spectacular commemoration of the approximately 20 000 women who stood up for what they knew was right.
While we may enjoy an equal and fair society, it is important to remember that in 1956, not only were the laws of the country extremely unjust and prohibitive, but the role of the woman in society was also limited. The pass laws that were already in place for black men were about to be implemented for black women, too.
Knowing that so many women chose to rise up and march against the status quo… and make a difference… is something worthy of celebrating.
We celebrate to remember those women, and all the women who came after, including us! Our mothers, grandmothers, and our daughters.
We celebrate because every day, we are faced with decisions about our and our children’s safety, their futures, their morals and values, and we are strong enough to symbolically march against the tidal waves of challenges and overcome them.
We celebrate because we are part of a sisterhood, and we stand together to raise daughters who know their worth and sons who are respectful of them.
We celebrate, whether we are men, women, or children, to show the women in our lives how much they are valued and appreciated.
How to Teach Children About Women’s Month
There are many ways to teach children about Women’s Month. Here are a few ideas to get your creativity going.
- Visit your local library.
Ask your librarian to help you find books about women doing great things. Women who made history, women in sport, women activists, women in STEM, or whatever interests your children have.
2. Listen to podcasts or watch videos made for children.
A surefire easy way to teach your children about Women’s Month is to find appropriate kids’ videos on YouTube or similar platform. Be sure to watch the video first to ensure that it is age appropriate and that the information is accurate.
3. Ask your child’s teacher to chat about it during a lesson.
If you feel strongly about this topic, you can also ask your child’s teacher to include it in one of their lessons during the month. You may find that they already had it on their plan!
How to Include Children in Women’s Month
Women’s Month can be a little tricky to come up with activities for, but there are a few ideas that we brainstormed for you. You can either use these as they are, or as a launchpad for your own creative juices. You know your kiddies the best, so go with that feels the most fun and engaging for you!
- Read a book about an inspiring woman and then create an art piece about her using your child’s favorite medium. For an extra “womanly” feel, try using only variants of pink for the art!
2. Your child can write a letter/email to a woman they are inspired by. Help them with the grammar and with some of the ideas of what to include.
3. Watch a movie about an inspiring woman.
4. Make a collage about the things that strong and empowered women do and aspire to do.
5. Have a pamper session to celebrate being a woman.
Wrapping it Up
Women’s Month is about remembering that all women have the right to be celebrated and participate equally in society. It is vital that we educate our children from a young age to respect each other… male and female… and to celebrate our unique strengths. Have a beautiful Women’s Month from all of us.