Tooth Fairy day

I am sure that we have all heard of the tooth fairy but did you know that there was a special day celebrating it? August 22 is National Tooth Fairy Day, but also February 28th.

Well, this imaginary fairy was created in Northern Europe some time in the 1200s, it was a tradition to pay children for their lost teeth.

During the middleages, in England, they burnt the teeth, which, according to superstitions, prevented them from hardships in life.

The Vikings also kept their children's teeth and other items, which were supposed to bring lick in their battles. 

In 1927, Esther Watkins Arnold brought the tooth fairy to life in an eight-page playlet. She named the playlet The Tooth Fairy. At the same time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published photographs of two girls surrounded by “verified” fairies. He claimed that fairies and gnomes existed and the pictures supplied the photographic evidence.

As time went by, it became more a tradition for children to put their lost teeth under their pillow overnight and the tooth fairy was supposed to take the teeth and leave money for it.

There are various ways you can celebrate this day with your kids or your students.

- Read Tooth Fairy books with them (Reading activity with thw whole class, asking them questions or making them participate in the story with movement)

- Have them draw their own Tooth Fairy (This way they can practise vocabulary: body parts, colours, etc)

- Have them create their own Tooth Fairy story (They can draw the story and write what is happening  or a dialogue below - this can also be a group activity)

- Talk to them about dental care and how important it is / have a "wash your teeth" tutorial and children can also create a booklet with instructions (pictures and words)

And most of all, enjow this day!

Sources:

National Day Calendar

Mouth Healthy

Wikipedia