11/28/2024

As November wraps up, I am reflecting both on Native American Heritage Month as well as how our Thanksgiving was.

On Wednesday, A. – a child I have been caring for since she was two – and I engaged in further learning and we also gave out Thanksgiving treat bags to our neighbors. Highlights included reading Native American and Thanksgiving books, watching wonderful programs on YouTube by Scholastic on the Wampanoag people and Pilgrims, and times of play. (See photos below.)

She and her family were back, along with assorted others from our church and neighborhood, to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday. Together, we made a new kind of family; such a blessing!

Our nation has a history of doing appalling things to the people who were here first, and Thanksgiving is tainted by that reality. It is good to be honest with our youngest, but also consider what is developmentally appropriate for them. I will leave it at that until a future time.

Blessings to you,

Zoe