We firmly believe that every child is unique and valuable. Kids are known for their creativity, curiosity, and boundless energy. And we have a special day on the calendar to honor everything that makes our kids who they are. August 4 is Hooray for Kids Day, and it’s a wonderful reminder to pause and recognize all the things that make our kids amazing. Let’s not allow this to be just another one of those silly calendar days. Let’s make it a day to truly celebrate the children in our lives and the incredible value they bring to our families and our communities. Here are a few thoughts to help you celebrate Hooray for Kids Day!
Kids have a way of making the world brighter. They see possibilities where adults see obstacles. Kids laugh freely, love fiercely, and dream without limits. Their questions inspire us to think differently (even their endless WHY questions). They show us the importance of holding on to imagination and dreaming big. And if you think about it, our kids are pretty strong. They put up with a lot, and they are so often willing to learn and grow. When we stop to notice it, our children bring light into our lives every single day.
It Hasn’t Always Been this Way
It’s easy to forget that, not too long ago, our society didn’t always view children as individuals with their own rights and needs. In the past, children worked long hours, they had little access to education, and they did not have the same protection and value we recognize today.
Thankfully, we’ve seen huge changes over the years. Child labor laws protect children from dangerous or unfair work, at least where they are followed. Education used to be a privilege, and now it is seen as a right of every child. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (adopted in 1989) set international standards for children’s rights to safety, health, education, and freedom from exploitation. This would not have been considered for discussion a century earlier. And in our time, there has been more awareness about our kids’ mental and emotional health. This increase in awareness has led to increased efforts in positive parenting, play-based learning, and mental health support for our kids.
We’ve come a long way. Today, we don’t only protect children’s rights, but we also celebrate their voices, their dreams, and their individuality. We even celebrate Hooray for Kids Day.
How to Celebrate Hooray for Kids Day
This special day is all about showing kids that they are valued, appreciated, and loved. So here are a few ways to make it meaningful:
Spend Time Together
We adults stay pretty busy. So this is a day to clear our schedules if we can, and then devote the day to being fully present with our kids. You could go to the park, bake cookies, play board games, or simply enjoy an unhurried conversation. Your attention is the greatest gift you can give.
Read that again: your attention is the greatest gift you can give. We don’t have to throw a big party or lose ourselves in planning. We simply have to show up for and with our kids. That’s what matters to them.
Share what you appreciate
While we’re celebrating Hooray for Kids Day, let’s share what we love about our kids. It’s a perfect time to let our kids know the specific qualities we see in them and the things that make us proud. You can say it out loud, write it in a note, or create a little “You Are Amazing” list for them to keep. It’s helpful for any of us to know what other people appreciate about us. Let’s do that for our kids.
Celebrate Their Achievements
Whether they’re big or small, let’s acknowledge our children’s efforts and accomplishments. Maybe they learned a new skill, showed kindness to a friend, or made it through a challenging week. Let’s celebrate their bravery, determination, kindness, or perseverance.
Do Something They Love
We parents know that one thing our kid has been wanting to do or that one place our kid has been begging to go. Maybe this is the day to say yes to that thing. Or maybe it’s a good time to let your child choose an activity, meal, or outing for the day. Whether it’s a big thing or something really simple, noticing what they like and letting them choose shows that you value their interests.
Signing Time Resources
Signing Time and My Signing Time are all about kids. We love to help kids learn and grow while having a ton of fun. So check out the resources we have for kids to learn, to communicate, and to have a blast!
A Day That Lasts All Year
While Hooray for Kids Day is a perfect excuse to go all out, the real celebration happens when we carry this spirit into every day. Children thrive when they know they are loved, heard, and valued. Of course, regular life must go on, but let’s find ways to let our kids know their value to us while we teach them and help them to grow. So Hooray for Kids today and every day, because our kids truly make the world a better place.