How do you explain groundhogs day to kids?
Groundhog Day is the day when people look to the groundhog to predict the weather for the next six weeks. Folklore says that if the sun is shining when the ground hog comes out of his burrow, then the groundhog will go back into its burrow and we will have winter for six more weeks.
What is Groundhog Day for preschool?
February 2nd
There is a legend about the groundhog. It states that they come out of their homes on February 2nd to see if winter is over. If they see their shadow, it scares them and they go back to their homes and sleep for another 6 weeks. If they don’t see their shadow, they stay above ground and winter is almost over!
How do you teach Groundhog Day to preschoolers?
Lead a discussion and ask children if a groundhog really can predict the weather. Make any of these groundhog weather prediction activities. On February 2, Groundhog Day, let children bring a stuffed toy to school. Explain to children that the name of the famous weather predicting groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil.
Why do we celebrate Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal—the hedgehog—as a means of predicting weather.
What Groundhog Day is all about?
It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den, and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
How did Punxsutawney Phil died?
Fans of Groundhog Day will be happy to know that its shining star, Punxsutawney Phil, has not died in 2022. Indeed, the famous animal emerged from his burrow on Feb. 2, 2022, and saw his shadow, predicting another extra six weeks of winter.
What did the groundhog say 2021?
Groundhog Day 2021 results: What was last year’s prediction 2, 2021, and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. Keep your fingers crossed, Phil has predicted an early spring two out of the last three years. Not surprisingly, that’s been a rarity over the event’s 136-year history.
What are the rules for Groundhog Day?
According to folklore, if a groundhog emerges from its hole and sees its shadow, it gets scared and scurries back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog does not see its shadow, the prediction is that there will be an early spring.