A fun way of exploring the diversity represented in the British Isles is by learning about different Saint Days or other special National Celebrations. The most famous of perhaps any saint day in the World is Ireland’s St Patrick’s day, which is held on the 17th of March every year. St David is the patron Saint of Wales and his saint day is held slightly earlier in the year, on the 1st of March. Scotland has two special occasions. Burn’s Night on the 25th of January and St Andrew’s Day on the 30th of November. St George is the dragon slaying patron Saint of England and his day is marked each year on the 23rd of April.
Often saints are patron saints of more than one country, for example St George is also the patron saint of Greece, Portugal and Bulgaria, among many others. The Welsh people on the other hand have kept St David all to themselves. If you have children from other countries, try to find who their home country’s patron saint is, you may discover that they they share one with one of the British and Irish saints.
Click on any of the links below for ideas and resources to help you learn about the saint days with your children.
- Burns Night – A special Scottish Celebration
- St. Patrick’s Day
- St. George’s Day
- St David’s Day
- St Andrew’s Day
Products that can help you explore the National Saint Days with your children:
Diversity MEGA pack
The Diversity Mega Pack is a comprehensive collection of 20 mini printable packs, carefully crafted to equip childminders to teach 20 essential Diversity and British Values topics, including topics about National Saint Days.
Each mini pack delivers impactful messages on important diversity and British Values themes, tailored for 2-5 year old children, providing all the necessary tools to navigate through complex topics at a level suitable for young minds. In total, the Mega Pack features 50 original art projects with templates, alongside over 100 suggested activities, including printable activity sheets and engaging cooking projects.
Childminding Best Practice Club
Members of the Childminding Best Practice Club receive different benefits including a monthly toolkit delivered straight to your email. Each month the toolkit features a different topic or concept to explore with the children, including topics about National Saint Days. As well as resources and fun activities there is full planning aimed specifically at childminders who often work with mixed age groups.
