Making Memory Jars

Children are constantly collecting things that many may call junk: bottle caps, rocks, movie ticket stubs. . . the list goes on. Who can fault them though? We have all been there age and have done the same; some of us still do. At some point the miscellaneous objects just seem to be trash but not to the collector. Here is a solution- Memory Jars.


Throughout the summer while visiting family, taking trips to the beach or mountains, or simply enjoying an ice cold soda on the porch (you get the picture), keep a jar for your child to keep his treasures in. If is starts to overflow, have him choose some things to take out.

Keep a list of the items in the jar and what significance they have, just a short note. At the end of summer place the list in the jar along with a few pictures. Finish it off with a label or tag titling it something simple such as Summer 2011. Whenever you want to walk down memory lane, open the jar and go through the items with your child.


Be creative about jotting down notes of everyday and special events. Have or help your child write a cinquain, a five line poem. It is rather simple.

1. Choose a subject that is limited to one word: firefly.
2. Pick two adjectives for the word: quick and small. Be creative and think about all the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, sound). Help a younger child by describing the subject or giving him a few words to choose from.
3. Select three verbs related to the subject, either an action the subject might display or one who observes the subject. Have each end with -ing: flying, catching, blinking.
4. Write a phrase, something that comes to mind when the subject is named or something your child did with the subject. Just a short phrase: put them in a jar.
5. The last line is another name for the subject. Encourage creativity and use metaphors or just use a synonym: lightning bug.

Firefly
Quick, small
Flying, catching, blinking
Put it in a jar.
Lightning Bug

Have your child write his poem neatly and illustrate it or decorate the paper it is on. Anything can be a subject: swimming, raining, thunder, ice cream, scrapes, heat, and the list goes on. There are variations on the cinquain. This source has a simple explanation and examples of each.



Keep the memory jar in a central location so that new memories can be added easily. Now your child can have a place to keep all those bottle caps and broken sea shells.