It is National One Cent Day!! Here are some connections for you and your children to delight in together.
Truth Connection:
(parents this is more for us to ponder while we connect than to read to our children. This is a “PLAtime” for us to enjoy with our Heavenly Father while we sit beside Him and delight in the children He has brought us for company. This is the last part of anticipating before play. Read and then choose one or more activities to do with your child.)
Copper coins in Scripture: Mark 12:41-44. In my youth, when I heard this story I would wonder at why Jesus didn’t get the money and take it back to her as provision. Now that we are closer, I know that she was provided for more than those cents would have ever been able to gain. One of my favorite things about Jesus that grows and grows the more I know him is there is always more than meets the eye! He is always doing things that are unseen! As 1 Samuel 16:7 says: “Man looks at the outward appearance but the LORD looks at the heart.” And as long as I am allowing Him to shape my heart, the things I think are my best but that I know fall short of what others seem to be doing are the very things that He will use - the tiny things, the things that don’t get much attention go so far. He has done more with the little things I have forgotten I did than with the things I would call great accomplishments. May He join us today as we play in these simple little connections! May He move mightily in our hearts as He moves the hearts of our children.
Bonding Connection:
ask a grandparent or other adult if they remember ever buying anything for a penny
Wonder Connection:
(A.K.A.”school” or “learning connection) Experiment: mix ¼ cup of vinegar and 1 tsp salt. Drop in some dirty pennies to dissolve corrosion and clean pennies; (see video above) some do better than others depending on the minting year. For more facts and history, see: https://www.marketwatch.com/story10-things-you-didnt-know-about-pennies-for-nationalonecentday
Creation Connection:
create napkin rings, a ring, or a shield for a minifigure using pennies (see photos) glued to cut strips of cardboard tubing (I.e. paper towel roll). Sections of old snap keychain make great details for ring. Wear and stamp into play dough to see how a signet ring works. The snap with a few links of the keychain can be used as a grip for the Lego shield if you don’t have a Lego piece with a handle. Snuggle in and look online together for other things to make with pennies. There are so many! Then follow your child’s lead as much as you can to create what they want to make.
Shared Target:
Cut a cardboard tube about 2 inches tall. Cut open one side to create a target. Take turns trying to spin a penny and hit it… work together to see how many times you can hit it in a row! This can also be done via video chat with friends or family if each person has 1 penny & 1 Target. (Check our Instagram and Facebook for video)
Giving Connection:
see if there are any gifts you can make or buy each other using a few pennies. If there are siblings in your family, this is a great way for parents to brainstorm with each child about something they can give the other siblings “just because” or to celebrate Easter this year. (This was going to be a lot easier before the quarantine. Some businesses celebrate One Cent Day… this may be something you have to anticipate for this day next year!)
Trust Connection:
“a penny for your thoughts” Parents, look for something to ask your child’s advice on this week. Get their thoughts no matter their age. You don’t have to use the advice, but if you can, it will likely build trust in themselves and even you a bit more.
