I am really excited to share the free resource I’ve created for our folk song of the week–Sankta Lucia. My last post (click here to view!) goes over a lot of detail on the history of the song, the history of St Lucia herself, as well as some of the Lucia Day traditions. There are lots of recordings and videos included in the last post to watch as you learn the folk song, and see the beautiful procession that takes place on Lucia Day in Sweden.
I thought it would be really fun for the children learning about the folk song to have some items to see, hold, and play with as they learn the traditions and the folk song. As I often say, play is a wonderful tool for purposeful repetition. The drive to understand is so fascinating to observe as I see my own children play.
This Santa Lucia Day play set includes a Lucia crown, an attendant crown, a starboy hat and wand, lussekatter (saffron buns), pepparkakor (gingerbread), a Santa Lucia Informational reader (written at about a 3rd grade reading level), and the song card. I know I already shared the song card, but I thought it would be nice to put in this file as well to make sure it was easy to print and sing along with! Instructions on how to assemble and use each piece is included in the download as well. Please remember these downloads are for personal/classroom use only:)
Children can wear the crowns, pretend to give away (and eat!) the saffron buns and gingerbread, and sing the song (over and over and over!). I think this will be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to see it in action. Make sure to share pictures with me over in my instagram DMs. It always makes my day to see the resources I’ve worked so hard on in action in homes and classrooms around the country!
We’re in the thick of preparing for our own Lucia Day celebrations tomorrow. We made our gingerbread yesterday and I’m baking up the saffron buns tonight. There is nothing like Lucia morning, waking up to sing and light up the dark morning with our candles and our love. We’ll also watch the procession from Sweden on YouTube that gets uploaded each year, which is such a delight! Then tomorrow evening we’ll walk around our street to pass out Lucia Day treats to our neighbors. It is such a special night for our family.
Enjoy the play set, but more importantly, share a kind word, and act of service, or a song with someone who might need a little light during these long, dark days. The darkness soon shall flee!
Click here to download the Print and Play Set
Happy Singing, and Happy Lucia Day. God Jul!
-Lauren