Each year, National Adoption Day brings awareness to adoption and celebrates the love and diversity of families everywhere. As childcare providers, preschools have a unique opportunity to recognize and honor the significance of adoption, fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates all family structures.
In this post, we’ll explore ways that childcare staff and directors can observe National Adoption Day in meaningful ways, helping children understand the values of inclusion, love, and acceptance. We’ll also highlight how MyKidReports, a childcare management software, can help strengthen communication with families, making every child and parent feel valued and included.
Understanding the Importance of National Adoption Day
National Adoption Day, celebrated annually in November, raises awareness about adoption and celebrates families formed through adoption. This day is an opportunity for preschools to promote acceptance and understanding among young children, showing them that families come in all forms. Recognizing this day at school can make adopted children feel seen and valued, while educating their peers about the beauty of family diversity.
Why Inclusivity Matters in Early Childhood Education
Inclusivity is essential in early childhood education, where children are first exposed to the diversity of people and families. Creating a classroom environment that acknowledges and values different family types—including adoptive families—promotes acceptance and respect.
Research from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) supports the idea that children benefit from classrooms that value diversity. In such settings, children develop a stronger sense of self-worth and empathy for others. Teachers can use inclusive activities and materials to help children feel that they belong, no matter what their family structure looks like.
Ways to Celebrate National Adoption Day in Preschool
Here are some simple, respectful ways to celebrate National Adoption Day with preschool students, all while promoting values of acceptance and kindness.
1. Read Books About Adoption and Family Diversity
Reading age-appropriate books is a powerful way to introduce children to the concept of adoption. Books like A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza or The Family Book by Todd Parr emphasize that love, not just biology, is what makes a family.
Teachers can organize a storytime featuring these books, followed by a class discussion where children can share what family means to them. This is a beautiful way to honor adopted families while giving all children a chance to talk about their loved ones.
2. Create a “Family Tree” Craft for All Types of Families
A family tree activity can be an excellent way to celebrate family diversity. Teachers can encourage children to draw or paste pictures of their family members on a tree outline. To ensure inclusivity, teachers can emphasize that family trees are unique, and there’s no “right” way to fill them out.
3. Have a “Meet My Family” Circle Time
A “Meet My Family” circle time provides an open, supportive space for children to share stories about their families. To make sure adopted children feel included, teachers can explain that families come in many forms, and that all families are special. MyKidReports can be especially helpful for sharing photos or videos from this circle time with parents, so they can feel part of this beautiful moment.
4. Invite a Guest Speaker or Parent to Talk About Adoption
Consider inviting a parent who has adopted a child or a speaker from a local adoption organization to talk with the children about what adoption means. This can help children understand adoption more personally and can create a deeper appreciation for family diversity.
Teachers can also ask MyKidReports to communicate with families ahead of time to see if any parents would like to participate. This can be an impactful way for families to bond with the school community.
5. Celebrate with a “Hearts and Hugs” Activity
Children can make heart-shaped crafts to show appreciation for their families. Teachers can use this craft activity to emphasize that family love is a beautiful thing, no matter how families are formed. Displaying these hearts in the classroom or sharing them with parents through MyKidReports can make the experience even more meaningful.
MyKidReports: A Tool for Supporting Family Connections
MyKidReports provides the tools teachers need to create a warm, inclusive classroom environment, making it easy to keep parents connected and informed. Here’s how MyKidReports supports families in preschools, particularly those formed through adoption:
1. Easy, Real-Time Communication with Families
Clear communication is crucial when celebrating special events like National Adoption Day. With MyKidReports, teachers can quickly share information with parents, whether it’s updates about an adoption-themed craft or an upcoming event. Real-time communication strengthens the partnership between school and family, ensuring that parents feel valued and informed.
2. Personalized Updates and Activity Tracking
MyKidReports allows teachers to send parents personalized updates about their child’s day. This feature is beneficial for adoptive families, who may especially cherish being able to see their child’s activities, milestones, and moments of joy. Through photos, videos, and progress tracking, MyKidReports helps parents feel closely connected to their child’s school experience.
3. Event and Activity Coordination
Planning events like “Meet My Family” circle time is simple with MyKidReports, which allows staff to send invitations and reminders to parents. This seamless organization allows teachers to focus on creating meaningful experiences for children, while parents stay informed.
4. Inclusive Documentation of Class Activities
With MyKidReports, preschools can easily document and share classroom activities, like the family tree project or storytime, allowing parents to witness these moments. This strengthens the school-family bond and helps parents feel involved in their child’s experiences.
Real-Life Story: How MyKidReports Enhanced Family Engagement
One of our teachers, Ms. Laura, at Bright Horizons Preschool, shares how MyKidReports helped create a welcoming environment for all families, especially adoptive families. Recently, she used MyKidReports to document their “All About Families” week, where they focused on family diversity.
“With MyKidReports, I was able to share each child’s family tree project with their parents, and the response was incredible. One adoptive parent told me that seeing their child’s artwork and photos made them feel deeply connected to the school community. MyKidReports has truly transformed how I communicate with families,” shared Ms. Laura.
Through MyKidReports, Ms. Laura was able to foster a supportive environment for every family, ensuring that each child felt proud of their unique family background.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can we introduce the topic of adoption to preschoolers in an age-appropriate way?
Simple language and stories are the best way to introduce adoption to young children. Explain that adoption means that families are formed in many ways, and it’s the love and care that truly defines family.
2. How can MyKidReports support communication with adoptive parents?
MyKidReports offers real-time communication, photos, and activity tracking, so adoptive parents can see and celebrate their child’s day, helping them feel engaged and included in their child’s educational experience.
3. What are some other inclusive activities to try during National Adoption Day?
Consider activities like family storytelling, creating a “Family Quilt” of drawings, or holding a circle time where children can share what they love about their families.
4. How can we approach parents about sharing their adoption stories?
Using MyKidReports, you can send a respectful, optional invitation to parents, giving them the choice to participate. Emphasize that it’s entirely voluntary and offer alternative ways to celebrate family diversity.
5. What should teachers keep in mind when discussing adoption?
Focus on love and family bonds. Avoid prying questions and ensure that any adoption stories shared by children or parents are handled with sensitivity and respect.
