A lot of kids say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at school. The Pledge of Allegiance is also said at government meetings, Citizenship ceremonies, and 4-H meetings. But do we know what the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance is? When you ask a kid why they put their right hand over their heart, the answer is usually “Because I was told to.”

Pledge of Allegiance meaning:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America”

• The American flag is a special symbol for our whole country. Its red, white, and blue colors with stars and stripes represent all 50 states coming together as one nation. We respect the flag because it’s like the family crest for everyone in the United States.

“And to the Republic for which it stands”

• In the United States, we get to vote for leaders who make the rules and laws for our country. These leaders should listen to what the people want and be responsible for caring for us all.

“One nation, under God”

• No matter what someone looks like or where their family came from, we’re all on the same American team. We believe in a higher power or God who watches over and cares for everyone.

“Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”

• When we all stick together, our country becomes very strong and nobody can break us apart. We believe that every single person deserves to be treated fairly and equally because we are one united nation forever.

John Wayne does a very good job of explaining the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Flag Craft:

There are many ways to represent the flag. Here is one way of doing it. For more flag crafts visit Pinterest.

Handprint Flag Craft:

Supplies

• washable red and blue paint
• white star stickers or white paint
• white paper
• craft stick
• paintbrush
• glue stick
• scissors

Handprint Flag Craft Instructions

Paint your child’s fingers red. Paint the palm of your child’s hand blue.

Next, press your child’s painted hand on a sheet of white paper. Make sure there is space between the fingers when you put his hand on the paper; this will be the white stripes. Let dry completely.

Then, add white star stickers or use a stencil to paint white stars on the blue part of the flag.

If you don’t have white star stickers, you can paint white dots with Q tips on the blue part of the flag.

Cut out your child’s painted handprint.

Finally, glue your child’s flag handprint to a craft stick.