Play a prerecorded anthem like the "Star Spangled Banner" composed by Francis Scott Key. Let the music fill the background while your child colors a picture of an American flag. He will hear the song and associate the tune with his picture of the flag. Encourage him to hum along before he knows the words.
Give older kids a copy of the lyrics to a patriotic song. Allow them time to read over the words. Play the music while they are reading to help them develop timing. Practice singing the song once or twice each day for several weeks until it is mastered.
Read stories about America. A book like "F is for Flag" by Wendy Cheyette Lewison helps explain to younger kids what exactly the flag symbolizes. Even young children will make associations between the flag in a story and the flag in the song "Star Spangled Banner."
Encourage writing assignments for older kids. Ask them to read the lyrics to a song and write a new story from the lyrics. Reading and rewriting the song in their own way helps kids remember lyrics to patriotic songs.
Host a karaoke event where the songs are all patriotic in theme. Allow kids to pick their favorite and perform for an audience. Practice as a class, a group or a family before entertaining to ease any fears.