Working with children, I’ve seen firsthand the joy they experience as they learn to recognize the letters of their name, progress to reading their full name in print, and finally master writing it. There’s so much to love about the process of preschoolers learning to write their names—with jumbled and backward letters, “E’s” with extra sticks, and a delightful mix of upper and lowercase letters going in all directions. It’s always a celebration when they can write their entire name independently. At this point, it’s important to provide them with plenty of paper and writing utensils, or they might end up carving their signature with a sharp object or using a permanent marker on your favorite furniture! We’ve had some of these exhibits around our home.
How Can You Celebrate Your Family Names This Week?
Personal Research & Reflection:
Take some time to explore the meaning of your name and reflect on this gift. Consider words that describe you and evaluate how well you are living up to your name.
Make Name Art:
- Write your name in block or bubble letters and decorate it. Create patterns or turn each letter into a character. Experiment with different colors, fonts, and styles.
- Center your name on a piece of paper and surround it with drawings or a collage of things you like or are interested in.
- For a fun project, write your name in glue and let it dry overnight. Then place a paper over the dried glue and rub with a crayon to reveal your name—it’s like magic, and children love it!
Write Name Poems:
Reflect on the meaning of your name and the words that describe you. Create a poem using your name and these words. Another fun idea is to write your name vertically and use each letter to start a word or phrase that describes or is meaningful to you.
Share Stories:
Consider what went into choosing your name and share the story of how you chose your child’s name. Was it a family name passed down through generations? Is there cultural, familial, religious, or historical significance? Do you know the story behind your own name’s selection? Understanding the roots and meanings of names can be a wonderful way to connect with your heritage.
Here are some inspiring name stories we’ve collected that highlight cultural elements worth appreciating. We hope everyone can celebrate and cherish the origins of their names as we share them.
This book illustrates the traditional rhyming chant that is perfect to play when learning or reinforcing names. Try playing the call-and-response game as a family.
Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?
(ages 2-6) You really can’t just read this book. You won’t be able to help but chant or sing to the sing-along as you take turns accusing different friends or family members of taking the cookies!These books all have children from a variety of cultures learning to accept and appreciate the names they’ve been given. From Korea, China and Japan to America, Canada and Peru you’re sure to learn something new about these cultures and connect with the characters and their stories.
Alma and How She Got Her Name
(ages 4-8) When a young daughter asks about how she got her name (Alma Sophia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela), she not only learns about her name but also of the many generations of grandparents and their legacies that she is named after.
The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name
(ages 4-8) Amazing metaphors are used in this book as Zimdalamashkermishkada encounters awkward feelings about his long name. He soon realizes that it’s not as difficult for everyone to get the hang of after all.
How Nivi Got Her Names
(ages 6-8) Learn how the Inuit choose names for their children and the deep meanings and heritage behind them. Includes detailed information about the Inuit culture of names and beliefs in ancestors and the after life as well as a great glossary about Inuit terms.
Millions of Maxes
(ages 3-6) When the “one and only Max” who loves to have his name on EVERYTHING learns he’s not the only person named Max, it takes a little getting used to . . . but he manages and makes friends and discoveries along the way.
My Name is a Story
(ages 4-8) As we learn the story behind our names we can have more appreciation for them. Each of our names have a story. What’s yours?
The Name Jar
(ages 5-8) When Unhei moves to the USA from Korea, no one can pronounce her name, so she thinks she needs a new “American” name. As the class tries to help her pick a new name, she ends up keeping the name of her roots. Her grandmother also gives her a special Korean name stamp with her name written in Korean characters. A great story about getting to know others and learning about new cultures and welcoming others that are different.
Yoko Writes Her Name
(ages 3-6) Yoko writes in her parents’ native language, but the kids at school do not understand. Once they gain an appreciation for culture and Japanese writing, everyone wants their names’ written in Japanese. This book shows the Japanese words on one side of each page spread and English on the other.
Thunder Boy Jr.
(ages 2-6) A tender story of a father and son relationship. Picking the right name for Thunder’s son is not to be taken lightly. What name will suit little junior and honor his father?
Tikki Tikki Tembo
(ages 2-6) Learn, through this clever folktale, why Chinese children have little short names today rather than great loooong ones.
Tomatoes in My Lunchbox
(ages 4-8) A sweet perspective on the struggles of making new friends, living in a new place and leaving behind the familiar. As friends are made, a new place can feel like home even as whole tomatoes are eaten from a lunchbox.
My Name is Truth – the Life of Sojourner Truth
(ages 5-8)And some more playful stories about names with a delightful mouse, a sweet bird and a proud monster to enjoy together.
Quit Calling Me a Monster
(ages 3-6) A playful book of a monster (aka Floyd Peterson) full of personality and living up to his name. You’ll never look at your monster the same again.
Chrysanthemum
(ages 2-6) Learning to appreciate what makes us unique and being true to ourself, regardless of what others think or how they treat us, is a skill we can all develop. Join Chrysanthemum as she navigates this adventure for her first time.
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