Need help explaining Holocaust to small children

[Surfside Academy]

Our hs coop is doing a service project this week. The San Diego Jewish Academy has a project called "Butterfly Project." The academy is attempting to collect 1.5 million painted butterflies as a remembrance for the 1.5 mil. children who were killed during the Holocaust. It is an ongoing project and all the ceramic painted butterflies will be displayed on the walls of the academy as a symbol of renewed life.

We will be having 2 different classes paint butterflies; K/1 and 2nd/3rd grade classes. I want the kids to understand the importance of the project and the significance of the Holocaust but at the same time, I don't want to overwhelm them. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

[Chris in VA]

Gosh, it seems a little heavy for that age. A lot heavy, actually. I've always thought it interesting, how the Holocaust as a subject is being introduced earlier and earlier.

I guess you could just say something like-- I'm going to give you a very grown-up and very sad history lesson. You know,there are some very, very sick and bad people in the world. One of them, named Adolf Hitler, was the leader of the German people back when your grandfather was a young man. Hitler believed that his people were the best. He hated anyone different. He made many people leave their homes and go to concentration and work camps in other parts of the country. He killed some of them. He was so bad, he even killed children. It's hard to understand how people could listen to such a bad person. but they did, and many, many people died. Other people fought him, and there was a very big war. In fact, it was such a big war that people called it a World War, because it seemed like the whole world was fighting. Eventually, Hitler was defeated, and the people who followed him were stopped from hurting any more people.
Then go into why it's important to remember the people who died. You could certainly read SOTW 4 about it. I'm sure SWB does a better job than me in describing what happened. I just wouldn't get into any personal stories or show any pictures of the camps or anything.

I don't know, I just don't agree with introducing the topic so soon. But it is a worthy project, imo.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Our hs coop is doing a service project this week. The San Diego Jewish Academy has a project called "Butterfly Project." The academy is attempting to collect 1.5 million painted butterflies as a remembrance for the 1.5 mil. children who were killed during the Holocaust. It is an ongoing project and all the ceramic painted butterflies will be displayed on the walls of the academy as a symbol of renewed life.

We will be having 2 different classes paint butterflies; K/1 and 2nd/3rd grade classes. I want the kids to understand the importance of the project and the significance of the Holocaust but at the same time, I don't want to overwhelm them. I'd appreciate any suggestions.


All I would say, honestly, is that these butterflies are to remember children who died in a horrible war long before they were born. We remember them so that we make sure that nothing like this ever happens to children ever ever again.

And that's all I would say. This is a heavier subject than I would want my children bearing. But that's me, personally. We introduce the idea of atrocities late in our family. To the point of not watching the news with young children.

And of course every family determines this. But I would not allow my children to participate in an activity where too many details were heaped on their young shoulders. It's simply too much horror to begin to comprehend at such a young age.

[Musical Belle]

This month I'm studying WWII with my 9yos and 6yod, and we read A Picture Book of Anne Frank by David Adler. If your children enjoy chapter books, you may try Anne Frank: A Life in Hiding by Johanna Hurwitz. These both give a gentle introduction to the persecution of the Jews in Europe without graphic depictions.

[8FillTheHeart]

I wouldn't introduce the topic to my primary age children. I would probably tell them we were making butterflies in memory of children who had died and that it was a very sad thing that had happened. I would not go into details of the Holocaust or even generalities of what happened. 5 and 6 yr olds don't need the burden of this knowledge.

[Mrs. H.]

but we have of course had to address terrorism, 9/11, etc. with our children just because of the media, and we've always just explained as simply as possible that there are some bad people who think it's ok to kill other people because they believe in a different God than them, or because they think there should be only one type of person in the world. We also talk about how the military (my brother is a Marine and served a year in Iraq, so topics on the military come up often here) goes over to those countries to take care of the bad guys so that can't hurt any more people or come over here again.

It is a heavy subject, but almost all kids can understand that you shouldn't hurt others. I agree about not showing pictures and stuff, but most people wouldn't do that with young children anyway.

[Scarlett]

I got choked up and teary eyed reading Chris' explanation of it. (although an excellent description, it is just so horrifying) We also do not introduce that heavy of subject matter to our son yet...age 8.

[Brigitte]

All I would say, honestly, is that these butterflies are to remember children who died in a horrible war long before they were born. We remember them so that we make sure that nothing like this ever happens to children ever ever again.

And that's all I would say. This is a heavier subject than I would want my children bearing. But that's me, personally. We introduce the idea of atrocities late in our family. To the point of not watching the news with young children.

And of course every family determines this. But I would not allow my children to participate in an activity where too many details were heaped on their young shoulders. It's simply too much horror to begin to comprehend at such a young age.


I agree 100%.

[Amira]

If you do go ahead with telling them about the Holocaust, I recommend reading them Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy. It's an excellent newer book written in free verse from the point of view of a child who survived the Holocaust.

[Liz CA]

I agree 100%.

to these atrocities at a young age because of family history, I agree completely.
I remember having nightmares that the Nazis were going to come after me as well. I just could not wrap my young mind around this (it's still difficult today). I began covering the Holocaust when my ds was 15yo.

[Tutor]

My children and I had a discussion about war the other day, specifically the Iraq war (this is where the crying started), and it eventually led to WWII because they remembered that my grandfather had fought in WWII. My oldest (I was sitting with all the kids at the lunch table, ages 11-4) asked about why so many people died in WWII; she had remembered reading a little about it before, so I just started answering her questions. I honestly remember very little about the conversation after that except that by the end of it, I had broken down and was sobbing uncontrollably and my ds7, who has wanted to be an "army man" since he was 4yo, decided that he wanted to be Mike Holmes (from Holmes on Homes) when he grew up instead of a soldier. "I can't kill people. It would make me sad."

I would suggest a very basic explanation then answer any questions you feel they are able to handle as honestly as possible. Are you teaching the class and are other people's children participating? You may want to talk to other parents before trying to answer questions in a group context.

[RebeccaC]

Dh's stepfather lost his parents in the Holocaust but he was hidden. I had an uncle in law who lost all of his family. Here is a list of books we used when our children were small to talk about it. These are all picture books some are out of print but your library may have them.

Let the Celebrations Begin! by Margaret Wild
http://www.amazon.com/Let-Celebrations-Begin-Margaret-Wild/dp/0531059375/ref=ed_oe_h
http://www.amazon.com/Let-Celebrations-Begin-Margaret-Wild/dp/053107076X/ref=ed_oe_p


The Butterfly
by Patricia Polacco
http://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Patricia-Polacco/dp/0399231706/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4


The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark
by Carmen Agra Deedy
http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Star-Legend-Christian-Denmark/dp/1561452084/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4

The Lily Cupboard
by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim
http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Cupboard-Shulamith-Levey-Oppenheim/dp/0064433935/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2

Elisabeth
by Claire A. Nivola
http://www.amazon.com/Elisabeth-Claire-Nivola/dp/0374320853/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204826972&sr=1-1

Hope this helps.

[elizam]

My 13yodd and I liked this one, and I've been considering reading it with my 9yods...

http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Ten-Puffin-Story-Books/dp/0140310762/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204827607&sr=1-1

[Musical Belle]

If you choose to discuss this with your children, another picture book to consider is The Children We Remember. You may want to preview it before sharing it with your children, but ours found it very touching.

[Carol in Cal.]

"The Sneetches" by Dr. Suess (seriously!)

"All the Colors of the Earth"

For what it was like after the war:
"Anna Needs a Coat"--This doesn't talk about the war, but the illustrations show severely damaged housing. Also, there is barter taking the place of commerce, which is a great jumping off point for discussion.

A picture book that takes place during the Occupation:

"The Cats of Krasinsky Square"--Based on a true story about the Resistance. Again, a very good jumping off point for discussion.

[Surfside Academy]

I should have explained that our coop isn't covering the Holocaust right now. We actually were looking for craft ideas for an Easter class next week. The kids had been studying butterflies so I remebered the Butterfly Project and thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for our group. I especially appreciated how they use the butterfly as a symbol of transormation, hope, faith and religious freedom. It seems like such a perfect project during Easter. It is just such a heavy topic so that's why I was looking for advice. I think I'll focus on the symbolism of the project but I'll definitely keep all your book recommendations for a later date when my own children and ready for the topic.

[Robin in Tx]

As a matter of fact, I would be inclined to find another project. Seriously. I'm sure it's a great project, but I don't allow my child to be used in any way to promote a social issue. If we were Jewish or had a loved one who suffered that tragedy, I would feel much differently. And I certainly support those who feel led to express their remembrance this way. It's just not something I'd guide my young child through unnecessarily.

Just me.

Edited to add: If I were in a situation where I felt like I had to follow through on the project, I would just have the kids paint the butterflies and tell them that they're doing it to contribute to a beautiful butterfly display that someone is putting up. I don't think I'd say anything at all about what it represents.

[Carol in Cal.]

I don't think it's right to have the children make something that will be used in a way that you're hiding from them. I think that the parents would feel resentful if they found out that this had happened.

If you are looking for an Easter project, butterflies are a traditional symbol of Easter, as is wheat ("Except that a grain of wheat falls into the ground and die...it cannot bring forth fruit..."). Make them and put them together to make your own display.