So many times in the midst of busy schedules we forget those simple traditional days of celebration that bring a lot of JOY for young children and they don’t cost a lot of money — just some time for creativity!

May Day falls on this Saturday, bright and early! As you come into the Eastern Shore area you notice beautiful flowers everywhere! Our town, garden clubs, and volunteer community associations do an awesome job of keeping up our environment as we welcome tourists from all over the world! Take time this coming Saturday to point out to your young child that the April showers did bring May flowers!

As a young child I remember the fun and creativity that was put into celebrating May Day in our school as well as community. May Day has been celebrated in one way or another throughout history and all over the world. It is rich in colorful traditions, beauty,  and lore. I used to dream and look forward to making my May Day hat and basket. This is a tradition I like to transfer to the students I teach. Each year in many early-childhood classrooms you will see many colorful paper-plate hats being paraded about.  Even if your child is not in school yet, you can welcome the beauty of spring during your May Day celebrations at your home. Simple preparations are needed of brightly colored crepe paper or ribbons.

If you’re inviting your neighbors over to celebrate May Day, just stick a pole — which could be a broomstick, metal pole, or used pipe — right into the ground. Also you can use the poles on the swing set, or even use a small tree to fasten long colorful ribbons to the top and let them stream down. Ribbons can be cut from leftover materials you have at home. Have all May Day participants grab the end of a streamer and dance in one direction to make a beautiful braid. Children love to repeat the dancing over and over. They never tire out. Simple paper-plate baskets, hats full of paper, tissue, or real flowers wins the hearts of young children!

Readers, don’t forget Mother’s Day comes on May 9, the following Sunday! Mothering affects not only families but communities and the world.

Happy May Day, everyone!

Beth Pinyerd lives in Daphne and serves as director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.