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On that early fall morning, all those years ago, the world stood still. I was only 15 years old in 2001 and didn’t even have a clue what the World Trade Center was. But it didn’t take me long to figure out just how much this one act of terror would change my world.
Amidst all the chaos and heartbreak in our country, I am going to take some time to really talk about September 11th with my kids.
Learning about September 11th with Kids
Celebrate the Flag:
Of all the days of my life, September 11th was the one that made the most proud to be an American. Still young and carefree, I had taken my freedoms for granted. That day, watching heroes run into the rubble and risk their lives for others made me PROUD. Our flag is a sign of unity and deserves to be celebrated.
Listen to Music:
Often times, music gets the message across much clearer than boring speeches. Introduce your kids to some songs that were written in regards to September 11th or that simply make you proud to be an American.
A few of my favorites include:
Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning? (Alan Jackson)
God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood)
Some Gave All (Billy Ray Cyrus)
There have been several books written that will help you discuss this hard topic with your kids. One of our favorite quick reads is I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001.
There are hundreds of newspaper articles online that are free for you to read with your family, giving real-life updates. You also can head to your local library and help your kids research the historic day.
Thank a Veteran:
In the days following September 11th, the men and women of our country stepped up to the challenge. They signed up for the hardest job in the world. Sometimes, we forget how much they do for us. Today and everyday, we need to make an effort to show them our support and gratitude. Without their courage and selflessness, our country wouldn’t be where we are today.
Learn the Facts:
It’s hard for kids to imagine just what all happened that day. In fact, it’s still hard to wrap my head around the events and I’m an adult. To help them better understand, try watching a movie about September 11th.
Here’s a list to get you started:
With so much happening in our world today, it’s easy for us to forget the importance of sharing September 11th with kids, about historical events that have shaped our world. But it’s important that they understand and know how we felt and how we reacted. But most importantly, they need to know how we pulled together as Americans and fought back.