The holiday season is an ideal time to reflect on the values that make our communities strong—support, kindness, and connection. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to celebrating the hard-working entrepreneurs and local businesses that help make our neighborhoods thrive. For preschool staff and directors, this is a great opportunity to not only support your local businesses but also teach children the value of giving back and supporting others.

This blog will explore ways you can incorporate Small Business Saturday into your preschool community, while also highlighting how MyKidReports, a childcare management software, can streamline the process of connecting with parents, organizing activities, and tracking engagement.

What is Small Business Saturday?

Small Business Saturday is a national event that takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, encouraging consumers to support local shops and businesses rather than major chains. The movement started in 2010, and since then, it has become an integral part of the holiday shopping season.

While the event promotes retail businesses, it is also an opportunity to recognize all types of small businesses, including those in education and childcare. As a preschool director or staff member, participating in this day can not only show your support for local businesses but also serve as an excellent learning moment for your students.

Incorporating Small Business Saturday Into Your Preschool Activities

1. Teach Children the Value of Supporting Local Businesses

Small Business Saturday offers an ideal platform to introduce young children to the idea of supporting local businesses. Even preschoolers can begin to grasp concepts like gratitude, helping others, and understanding the role of businesses in their community.

Here are a few ways to teach children about small businesses:

• Storytime with Books: Choose books that explore the concept of small businesses, such as “A Chair for My Mother” by Vera B. Williams or “The Little Red Hen”. These stories teach important lessons about working hard, sharing, and supporting the local community.
• Classroom “Store” Activity: Set up a small classroom store where students can “buy” items using play money. You can include items made by the children, like artwork, to highlight the creativity and hard work that goes into creating products.
• Field Trip to a Local Business: If possible, take the children on a field trip to a local business—like a bakery, toy store, or even a family-owned cafe. You could tie it in with the Thanksgiving holiday by discussing how these businesses contribute to the local economy and the importance of community support.

2. Host a Local Business Spotlight Event

Use Small Business Saturday to host a “Local Business Spotlight” event at your preschool. You can invite local business owners to come speak to your students, show them their products, or even offer a fun demo. This can create a memorable experience for the children and foster an understanding of how local businesses work.

If in-person visits aren’t possible, consider using MyKidReports to share highlights of these businesses through newsletters, posts, or videos. This way, even parents who cannot attend in person will be able to enjoy the event and connect with local entrepreneurs.

3. Thank You Notes for Local Businesses

A wonderful way to encourage children to participate in Small Business Saturday is by making thank you cards for local businesses. These can be delivered to businesses in your area to show appreciation for their service. You can have the children draw pictures, write messages, or simply decorate the cards. This activity fosters gratitude, empathy, and a sense of community.

The best part? MyKidReports makes it easy to document these activities, keeping parents informed and allowing them to participate virtually if they cannot make it to the classroom. You can upload photos of the students making the cards and share the story with parents through the platform’s communication features.

Why Support Local Businesses?

Supporting local businesses has far-reaching benefits for the entire community. When we shop locally, we:

• Boost the Local Economy: Small businesses create jobs and keep money circulating within the local community, helping the area thrive.
• Support Families and Entrepreneurs: Many small business owners are local parents or entrepreneurs who rely on their businesses to support their families. By supporting these businesses, you’re helping families in your community.
• Promote Unique Products and Services: Local businesses often offer unique, high-quality products that big-box stores don’t carry. These businesses contribute to the individuality and charm of your town.

MyKidReports and Small Business Saturday: How Can It Help?

Incorporating Small Business Saturday into your preschool’s activities is not just about having fun—it's about creating meaningful connections with the community and teaching children valuable lessons. As a preschool director, MyKidReports can be a powerful tool to make the process seamless. Here’s how:

• Organize Events: Use MyKidReports to schedule and track events like the Local Business Spotlight or the thank-you card activity. You can share event details with parents and encourage participation, whether in-person or virtually.
• Share Updates with Parents: MyKidReports makes it easy to keep parents in the loop. Share real-time updates and photos of classroom activities related to Small Business Saturday, including thank-you card creations or local business visits.
• Track Engagement: With MyKidReports, you can monitor how involved your students and their families are in the Small Business Saturday activities, allowing you to tailor future events to encourage greater engagement.

Real-Life Example: How One Preschool Director Uses MyKidReports for Community Engagement

Jennifer, a preschool director from Colorado, used MyKidReports to integrate community outreach into her preschool's activities, especially during the holidays. She found that involving local businesses in her curriculum gave children a deeper sense of connection to the world around them.

One of her most memorable activities was involving children in crafting thank-you cards for local businesses during Small Business Saturday. Using MyKidReports, she was able to share updates and photos with parents, making them feel part of the community engagement. Parents also appreciated being able to quickly access information about upcoming events and activities, all in one place.

“MyKidReports made it easy to keep parents updated and involved in their children's learning,” Jennifer said. “The ability to instantly share photos and updates created a stronger sense of community and made the experience more impactful for both children and their families.”

FAQs for Small Business Saturday at Your Preschool

1. How can I teach preschoolers about supporting local businesses?

Use storybooks, classroom activities like setting up a store, or field trips to local businesses. Engaging in hands-on activities like creating thank-you cards for businesses also fosters a deeper connection.

2. How do I organize a local business spotlight event?

Contact local business owners and invite them to visit your preschool, either in person or virtually. Use MyKidReports to send out invitations and share event details with parents.

3. Can MyKidReports help in organizing Small Business Saturday events?

Absolutely! MyKidReports can help you schedule, organize, and document events. You can also share photos, event updates, and student participation with parents via the platform.

4. How can I get local businesses involved in my preschool's activities?

Reach out to local business owners and invite them to participate in activities. You could also ask them to donate products or sponsor a fun event. MyKidReports makes it easy to involve parents in the planning process.

5. How can I track student engagement during Small Business Saturday activities?

With MyKidReports, you can monitor student participation in activities, track progress, and share updates in real-time with parents. This allows you to gather valuable feedback and make adjustments for future events.