Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this blog!
As a preschool teacher, I love finding ways to help children show kindness, appreciation, and respect. One of the sweetest holidays for this is Respect for the Aged Day, or Keirō no Hi (敬老の日). It is a beautiful tradition celebrated in Japan each September.
This day is all about showing love and gratitude to our grandparents and older adults.
It’s a perfect opportunity to teach even our youngest learners about the importance of honouring the wisdom, care, and stories of older generations.
What is Respect for the Aged Day?
Respect for the Aged Day is a national holiday in Japan celebrated on the third Monday in September.
It’s a special time when families thank their grandparents and other elders for everything they’ve done, often with letters, gifts, and visits.
Even though this is a Japanese tradition, it’s a beautiful idea that we can bring into any classroom or home, no matter where we are in the world!
Children may not understand aging yet, but they do understand love and family. Talking about Respect for the Aged Day helps preschoolers:
- Practice gratitude
- Build empathy
- Learn about family roles and traditions
- Celebrate kindness and connection
Free Printable: Make a Card for Someone Special!
To help your little ones join in the celebration, I’ve created a free printable Respect for the Aged Day card.
It’s simple, sweet, and includes space for a drawing and short sentence prompts—perfect for preschool-aged children!
[Download Your Free Printable Card Below]
How to Use It:
- Talk About Grandparents or Elders: Ask questions like, “What do you love about Grandma or Grandpa?” or “Who helps take care of you?”
- Color and Decorate the Card: Let kids use crayons, stickers, or even paint.
- Fill in the Prompts: Adults can help write words like “Thank you” (Arigatou ありがとう) and “I love you” (Daisuki だいすき).
- Send or Deliver the Card: Encourage children to give their card to a grandparent, older neighbor, or special senior in their life.
Add a Book or Two!
Pair this activity with a read-aloud that celebrates grandparents or older adults, like:
Even small gestures—like a handmade card—can mean so much. By teaching children to say “thank you” and “I love you” in simple ways, we’re helping them grow into thoughtful, caring people.
Happy Respect for the Aged Day!
Encouraging Imaginative Thinking in Children- Free Roll a Story Printable
Imaginative play is crucial for young children, fostering language skills, problem-solving, and social-emotional understanding. Story creation activities, like the free Roll a Story printable, enhance creativity and storytelling. Children roll dice to choose characters, settings, and problems, crafting unique narratives that build confidence and communication skills.
Islamic Role Play Activity for Preschoolers (Free Muslim Family Cutouts Printable)
The free Islamic role play printable is designed for preschoolers, featuring cut-out figures and a 3D Kaaba template. It encourages imaginative play while teaching important Islamic concepts, vocabulary, and skills. Children learn about Hajj, build language proficiency, and enhance creativity through engaging activities that promote understanding of their faith.
Different Types of Pollution for Kids (8 Free Printable Flashcards)
Pollution affects the world around us every day. It can harm people, animals, plants, and the environment. Teaching children about pollution helps them understand how to care for our planet and make positive choices. To support learning, download our free pollution flashcards printable featuring eight different types. These visual cards are perfect for classrooms, homeschool…
Forest Animals Matching Activity – Free Printable for Kids
The Forest Animals Matching Activity Printable is an engaging hands-on tool designed for preschoolers and kindergarteners. It helps children recognize woodland creatures while enhancing fine motor skills, visual discrimination, and problem-solving. The activity includes matching animal pictures to their outlines and promotes vocabulary, focus, and independent learning. Download for a fun educational experience.
Preschool Graduation Celebration – Free Graduation Headband Printable
Preschool graduation is such a special milestone for little learners. It is a time to celebrate friendships, learning, growth, and all the wonderful memories created throughout the year. From learning letters and numbers to building confidence and independence, every child deserves to feel proud of how far they have come. To help make your celebration…
Months of the Year Wheel Activity for Preschoolers- Free Worksheet
The Months of the Year Wheel is an interactive activity designed for children to learn the 12 months through cutting, sorting, and coloring. This engaging project enhances fine motor skills, creativity, sequencing, and vocabulary development, making it suitable for preschool, kindergarten, and homeschool environments while promoting repeated play and discussion of related themes.
Free Printable 3D Kaaba Craft for Kids | Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail Building the Kaaba
The post highlights a meaningful Islamic story about Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail building the Kaaba, emphasizing faith, teamwork, and devotion. It includes a free printable 3D Kaaba craft for children to enhance their learning. The activity fosters fine motor skills and storytelling while deepening their connection to Islamic traditions.
Dragon Boat Craft- Free Printable
Colour, Cut & Paste Your Own Dragon Boat Celebrate the vibrant Dragon Boat Festival with a fun, hands-on printable your kids will love! This simple colour, cut, and paste activity helps children explore cultural traditions while building creativity and fine motor skills. What’s Included in the Printable This printable lets children create their very own…
Samoan Language Week Printables for Kids
Fun and educational Samoan Language Week printables for kids. Includes free worksheets, tracing, games, and cultural activities.
Dhul Hijjah for Kids: Ways to Teach + Free Printable Activities
Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, is significant for reflection, worship, and the Hajj pilgrimage. The first ten days carry immense rewards for good deeds. Engaging children through meaningful activities and printables fosters their understanding of sacrifice, gratitude, and connection to their faith, creating lasting memories.
Alphabet Poster with Real-Life Images- Free Printable
The post offers a free printable alphabet poster featuring real-life images, designed to enhance early learning for children. It highlights the importance of connecting letters to familiar objects to aid memory and understanding. Suggestions for effective usage include wall displays, daily letter focus, and interactive learning activities, promoting visual repetition and engagement.
Back to School Counting Clip Cards – Free Printable
Looking for a fun, hands-on way to build early math skills this back-to-school season? These Back to School Counting Clip Cards are the perfect low-prep activity for preschool and kindergarten learners! Designed with bright, school-themed images, these clip cards help children practice counting, number recognition, and fine motor skills — all while having fun. Why…
Flower Name Recognition Garden (Free Printable)
This Free Flower Name Recognition Garden is a simple, hands-on activity where children build their name by creating their own flower garden. Learning to recognise their own name is one of the first and most meaningful literacy skills children develop. A child’s name is personal, familiar, and motivating — making it the perfect starting point…
Teaching Preschoolers About Dhul Qa’dah
Free Dhul Qa’dah Colouring Page Included Introducing preschool children to this month is a wonderful way to teach peaceful values, kindness, and preparation for the special Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. Young children learn best through simple conversations and hands-on activities, making this a perfect opportunity to introduce Islamic months in a meaningful and age-appropriate…
The Importance of Outdoor Play (Free Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable)
Outdoor play significantly benefits young children by promoting physical, emotional, and social development. Activities like exploring nature enhance curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. A FREE Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable encourages outdoor exploration, fostering an appreciation for the environment. Regular outdoor experiences help children grow into caring individuals.
Learning About the Kaaba for Kids (With Free Playdough Mats & Printables)
This post offers engaging, hands-on learning activities about the Kaaba, including playdough mats, word searches, and a maze. Children learn that the Kaaba is a significant prayer site for Muslims and are encouraged to connect with their faith through creative play and exploration. The post also introduces Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Free Mother’s Day Bookmark Templates
These free printable Mother’s Day bookmarks allow preschoolers to craft heartfelt, personalized gifts for their mums. Featuring a heart and a flower design, these simple bookmarks encourage creativity and fine motor skills. They serve as cherished keepsakes, with children able to personalize them through coloring and messages, making Mother’s Day special.
Free A–Z Uppercase and Lowercase Matching Cards (2-Piece Alphabet Activity)
The Free A–Z 2-Piece Matching Cards offer an engaging method for preschoolers to learn uppercase and lowercase letter recognition. This hands-on activity supports early literacy skills, visual discrimination, and problem-solving. Ideal for various learning settings, these printable cards can be used in matching games and literacy rotations, promoting playful learning.
8 Mother’s Day Pun Cards for Preschoolers- Free Printables
This post offers eight free printable punny Mother’s Day cards that preschoolers can make with minimal preparation. Perfect for various educational settings, the cards encourage creativity and help develop fine motor skills. They serve as meaningful keepsakes, allowing children to express love and appreciation to their mothers.
Teaching the Significance of Earth Day – free printables
Teach preschoolers the importance of Earth Day with free printable activities including an Earth Day memory game, colouring pages, and a counting worksheet for ages 3–5.
Leave a Reply