Back to School Excitement: A Guide for Kids Starting or Returning to School

The first day of school with clever hedgehog

Did you know that the first day of school in Ukraine is called Knowledge Day? The school year starts in all Ukrainian schools on Knowledge Day on September 1!

The First Day of School is very exciting for all children, especially, for kids who start Kindergarten and Grade 1!  Don’t worry, Clever Hedgehog will be with you, and help you get ready for school!

Clever Hedgehog’s friends asked him some questions about school.

You can become a Clever Hedgehog’s Pen Pal and write a letter to his email: storieswithcleverhedgehog@gmail.com and share your questions, a story, or a picture for a website.

Question 1: Why Should Children Go To School?

🏫 School is a place where you get to learn new things, make friends, and discover exciting adventures every day! In school, you learn how to read, write, count, think creatively, solve problems, share ideas, and work together with others. There are so many things you will learn in your school. New books 📚, friends, and teachers will be there to greet you! 

To answer this question, Clever Hedgehog will tell you one story about school 👇

Clever Hedgehog and His Expectations for School

Clever Hedgehog and His Expectations for School

Illustrations: Olga Zhestkova

In the forest where the animals lived, there had never been a school 🏫. But one day, a wise Owl from a faraway forest visited them and said, “It’s time to learn! I will teach you many things at school!” Hearing this, Clever Hedgehog was very happy. He had always dreamed of learning more about the world around him and becoming as wise as the Owl.

I want to learn to count acorns and mushrooms, so I’ll know how many I need for the winter,” thought Clever Hedgehog.

Clever Hedgehog and His Expectations for School

I want to learn the different languages of birds and animals, so I can communicate with all the animals,” Clever Hedgehog pondered.

Clever Hedgehog and His Expectations for School

I want to read all the forest fairy tales!” Clever Hedgehog continued to dream.

I want to help animals find their way through the forest using a map I drawn myself.

Now Clever Hedgehog was eagerly waiting for his first day of school to begin his exciting journey into the world of knowledge!

What about you, my little reader, WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM SCHOOL?

A school is where your imagination can take flight and your dreams can grow. Be excited, be curious, and get ready for a wonderful year of learning!

Question 2: What do you need to take to school?

Students usually don’t need a lot of things in school. You will need only special items in school. So what should we put in the school backpack?

Handy Checklist for Kids Getting Ready for School

1. Backpack 🎒: Make sure your backpack is clean, comfortable, and ready to use.

2. Notebooks and textbooks 📚: Pack all the necessary notebooks, tablets or laptops with chargers, textbooks, and additional materials for the first day.

3. Pencil Case ✏️: Ensure you have all the essential stationery: pencils and pens, colored pencils or markers, a pencil sharpener and an eraser, and a ruler.

4. Clothes and Shoes 👚: Prepare your school uniform or other clothing for school, along with comfortable shoes.

5. Water Bottle 🥤: It’s always a good idea to have a water bottle with you to stay hydrated.

6. Lunchbox 🍌: prepare a lunchbox with healthy snacks.

7. Face Mask 😷: If your school requires wearing masks, don’t forget to bring one.

8. Smile 😊: Don’t forget your smile and a positive attitude for the first day of school!

Question 3: How To Introduce Myself To The New Classmates?

On the first day of school, you’ll meet your new teacher and classmates. They’ll be excited to get to know you! Be ready to introduce yourself and share your name and something interesting about you. Maybe tell them your favorite hobby or what you like to do for fun. It’s a great chance to make new friends and start the year with a smile!

Tips for Telling New Classmates About Yourself

1. Be Brave: Remember, everyone is probably just as curious to know about you as you are about them.

2. Start Simple: Start by saying your name, what you like to do for fun, and maybe your favorite book or game.

3. Ask Questions: Show interest in your new friends by asking them about their hobbies or favorite subjects.

4. Smile: A friendly smile can make a great first impression and help you feel more comfortable.

Help your child adapt to the new environment in school - TIPS FOR PARENTS

Question 4: How to Get to School Safely?

1. Walk on the Sidewalk: Always use the sidewalk or pedestrian paths, and if there isn’t one, walk on the side facing traffic.

2. Cross Safely: Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street, and always use crosswalks or traffic signals.

3. Listen to Adults: Follow instructions from crossing guards or school staff.

4. Stay Visible: If it’s still dark in the morning, wear bright or reflective clothing so drivers can see you easily.

5. Stay Together: If possible, walk to school with a friend or a group of kids. There’s safety in numbers!

6. Never talk to strangers on your way to school.

Help your child adapt to the new environment in school - TIPS FOR PARENTS

Can you guess these riddles about school?  

I am a place where you can learn and grow,
I am a place where knowledge starts to flow.
I have many rooms and many halls,
And many students hear my calls.
What am I?

Check your answer

School

I am small and I am usually white. 
You can take away your pencil mark with me.
I am ...........

Check your answer

An eraser

You see me in a classroom.  
You can sit by me.
You can write on me.
I am ........

Check your answer

A desk

LET’S READ A BOOK

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Go to Clever Hedgehog’s Library

FUN ACTIVITIES WITH CLEVER HEDGEHOG

First day of school Coloring page for kids, Clever Hedgehog in school
First day of school Coloring page for kids, Clever Hedgehog in school
Clever hedgehog's BOOKMARKS
Little Library Collection Box

This project may require adult’s assistance

Can You Solve This Jigsaw Puzzle?

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TAGS: school readiness, get ready for school, starting a kindergarten, 1 grade, kindergarten, back to school, introduce yourself to classmates, why children go to school, pen pals, school supplies

Independence Day of Ukraine. The meaning of Motherland for kids

Independence Day Ukraine

Celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day with Clever Hedgehog

This year on August 24, 2024, Ukraine celebrates its 33rd Independence Day!

Clever Hedgehog wants to share some fun activities, a new book ‘Sunflowers and Bandura: About Symbols of Ukraine’ for children, and interesting facts about Ukraine and its Independence Day with you!

Clever Hedgehog believes that one day soon, we will celebrate this special day together in a happy and peaceful Ukraine!

The meaning of Motherland?

Motherland or Homeland is the place where you were born and grew up. It’s where your family and friends live, and where you have lots of happy memories. Motherland is also about your language, culture, and the traditions you share with others. It’s the place where you feel safe, happy, and truly at home.

It is interesting that in some countries the word “Fatherland” is used instead of “Motherland”, but both have the meaning of the “parents’ land”, it is the native (parental) land, parental heritage. Love for the Motherland begins with love for parents.

Loving the Motherland means appreciating and protecting everything related to it, and trying to make it even better for all the people who live here.

Read what the pictures tell us

I love Ukraine

Think about whether a person can have two or more homelands.

How old is Ukraine?

Ukraine is a very old country. Its history began when the state of Kyivan Rus’ started, which became the biggest and strongest state in Europe. However, modern Ukraine became independent only 33 years ago, on August 24, 1991.

What is Independence Day?

Independence Day is like a big birthday party for the country! On this day, people remember the time when their country started to take care of itself without anyone else telling them what to do. There are usually parades, fireworks, and lots of fun activities to show how proud everyone is of their country. It’s a day for a country to celebrate freedom and being able to live the way you want.

The history of Kyiv begins with its founding year as 482, but the city may date back at least 2,000 years earlier.

History of Kyiv

Fun facts about Ukraine and its Independence Day

Clever Hedgehog has some interesting facts about this day. Let’s read some together!

1. The Independence Day of Ukraine was celebrated for the first time on July 16, 1991. The date was later moved to August 24.

2. A draft of the Act on the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine was written in a regular school notebook.

3. The text of the Act consisted of 93 words, was typed on a typewriter, and fit on one piece of paper.

More facts on the Independence Day of Ukraine
More facts on Ukraine

Your Bonus Gift – Printables for Kids

Symbols of Ukraine

When a country becomes independent, it introduces new national symbols that represent its individuality. Ukraine has special state symbols as well:

Flag: The Ukrainian flag is blue and yellow. The blue represents the sky, and the yellow represents the fields of wheat.

Coat of Arms: The Ukrainian coat of arms is called the Tryzub, which means “trident.” It’s a special symbol that shows strong and rich Ukrainian history.

Anthem: The national anthem of Ukraine is called “Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy ni slava ni volya” (“Ще не вмерла України ні слава, ні воля”) which means “Ukraine’s glory and freedom have not yet perished.” Listen >>>

What is incredible about my Ukraine?

How to draw a Ukrainian trident

The trident is an ancient symbol, pictures of it can be found across ancient Ukrainian lands. Its segments form the word «liberty» (воля).

Try to draw a trident like the one in the picture.

Як намалювати тризуб

LEARN MORE ABOUT SYMBOLS OF UKRAINE IN THE NEW BOOK “SUNFLOWER AND BANDURA

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Go to Clever Hedgehog’s Library

Let’s Play

Clever Hedgehog made up a quiz about Ukrainian Independence Day. Let’s see what you remember!

1. What colors are on the Ukrainian flag?





2. Як називається український герб?





3. Bonus question for kids who read the book about symbols. What is the most delicious symbol of Ukraine?





Check your answers

  1. b
  2. b
  3. a

Look at the pictures. Can you find 10 differences?

Check your answers

The color of a cow, stork, tractor, fence, birds, swallow, ladybug, daisy, trees, barn

Let’s Draw Something Nice

Independence Day Ukraine coloring page for kids
Coloring page for kids, Stories with Clever Hedgehog

How to draw the coat of arms of Ukraine

How to draw National Flag of Ukraine

Let’s Sing Ukrainian Songs

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Tags: I explore the world, Motherland, Independence Day of Ukraine, about Ukraine’s Independence Day for children, what is the motherland, symbols of Ukraine,

Clever Hedgehog At The Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Clever Hedgehog olympic games Paris 2024

Clever Hedgehog’s Report on Olympic Games for Kids

Clever Hedgehog has visited the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, and he wants to tell you all about them!

The Olympic Games are a series of big sports events that happen every four years. Athletes from all over the world come together to compete in different sports like running 🏃‍♀️, swimming 🏊‍♀️, gymnastics 🤸‍♀️, and more. Athletes train for years to compete, and winning a medal 🏅 at the Olympics is one of the highest honors in sports.

History of the Olympic Games

The Olympics have been around for a very long time. The first recorded Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece in 776 BC in the city of Olympia. These early games featured primarily foot races 🏃‍♀️. The ancient Olympics continued for nearly 1,200 years.

The modern Olympic Games, inspired by the ancient tradition, were revived in 1896 in Athens, Greece. This event marked the beginning of the Olympic Games as we know them today.

The five Olympic rings – blue, yellow, black, green, and red – are the emblem of the Olympic Games. Did you know that these rings represent the five regions of the world – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania?

Learn more about Olympic rings in the video 👉👉👉

What Do The Olympic Rings Mean?

Trace and color Olympic rings 🎁

Summer and Winter Olympics

The Olympic Games are divided into the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. They feature different types of sports based on the season.

Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympics are held in the summer. They include sports that are best played in warm weather or indoors, like swimming, running, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, and many more. 

Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics take place when it’s cold and snowy. They feature sports that are played on snow or ice, like skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, ice hockey, and many more.

The Team Ukraine 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES Results

The 2024 Summer Olympics, held this year in Paris, welcomed athletes from 206 countries. The United States sent the largest team of 596 athletes to compete in various sports. Ukraine participated with 156 athletes.

As for the medal count, the United States performed very well, winning 104 medals: 30 gold, 38 silver, and 36 bronze. Ukraine won 12 medals: 3 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze. 

Clever Hedgehog cheered for every Ukrainian athlete. Believe it or not, Clever Hedgehog likes to jump high, that’s why he especially cheered for Yaroslava Mahuchikh who won a Gold medal in the high jump.

Women's High Jump
Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Hooray to the Team Ukraine! 

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Women’s High Jump |
Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

mms.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Women’s High Jump | Iryna GERASHCHENKO

Erik van Leeuwen, GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Women’s Sabre Individual |
Olga KHARLAN

Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 3.0


Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Women’s Sabre Team  | Olga Kharlan, Alina Komashchuk, Yuliia Bakastova and Olena Kravatska

Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 3.0

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Men’s Parallel Bars |
Illia KOVTUN

Martin RulschWikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Shooting 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men |
Serhiy KULISH

mms.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mykhaylo_Kokhan_at_the_2024_Summer_Olympics_02.png

Men’s Hammer Throw |
Mykhaylo KOKHAN

mms.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Men’s Boxing 80kg |
Oleksandr KHYZHNIAK

mms.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Men’s Greco-Roman Wrestling 67kg |
Parviz NASIBOV

sport.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Women's Freestyle Wrestling 62kg | Iryna KOLIADENKO

Women’s Freestyle Wrestling 62kg | Iryna KOLIADENKO

President.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons,

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Men’s Greco-Roman Wrestling 87kg |
Zhan BELENIUK

mms.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Women's High Jump Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH

Women’s Canoe Double 500m |
Liudmyla Luzan and Anastasiia Rybachok

sport.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Olympic Games Quiz 🏅

How much do you know about the Olympic Games? Take this fun quiz to find out!

1. What Olympic Games do not exist?:





2. Where were the first Olympic Games held?





3. How many medals did the Ukrainian Olympic Team win this year?





4. How many rings are there on the Olympic Games emblem?





Check your answers

  1. b
  2. b
  3. a
  4. c

Can You Solve This Jigsaw Puzzle?

LET’S READ THE BOOK “SOMETHING NEW TO DO”

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Go to Clever Hedgehog’s Library

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TAGS: Olympic Games for kids, Olympic rings, Olympic Games history for kids, Olympic team Ukraine, Ukrainian Olympic team