[Previous entry: "Happy Birthday Delaney..."] [Next entry: "What a Great day!"]

12/14/2006: "Fostering a Generous Spirit..."

Although many children focus on what they will receive during the holidays -- three simple practices can help foster a spirit of generosity in young children this time of year, and all year long:

* Offer homemade gifts. Leave purchased gifts to adults, who better understand financial sacrifice and generosity. For children to appreciate the act of giving, they need to have a personal connection to the gifts they offer to others. Making presents is one of the simplest (and most cost effective) ways to do this.

* Remember that generosity and gratitude go hand-in-hand. Teaching children to say "thank you" and "you are welcome" as part of gift exchanges is more than simple manners; it's a lesson about generosity. Even young children will eventually "make the connection between saying 'thank you' and receiving something" and learn that generosity is valued.

* Embrace charitable acts and place them in a context that makes sense. To give to those whom we do not know is to embrace our human family. For young children, this is an abstract concept. As Mr. Rogers once reminded us, "[It's tempting to ask] children to help 'the needy' or those who are 'less fortunate,' [but] that kind of thinking divides people into 'us' and 'them' and doesn't necessarily contribute to a sense of 'neighborliness.' ... All of us at some time or other need help ... and everyone is a giver and a receiver. It is far better to say to our children that we are gathering sweaters for people who are cold and don't have the money to buy warm clothing.'"

Replies: 3 Comments

These are good things for all to learn- always nice to put things in perspective.

La said on Thursday, December 14th @ 10 :24 AM CST

Those are such good things for little ones to learn. Good job! I'll bet she enjoyed doing it too. Love you, Nana

hot mama said on Thursday, December 14th @ 09 :31 AM CST

We spent some time on discussing this with Delaney this year. We choose an Angel from Church on Sunday and I got two from work and we got gifts and wrapped them and talk to Delaney about need to help others that need help so they get presents and have a Merry Christmas. We have also spent a lot of time talking about the Christmas story and why we celebrate Christmas. She has been playing with her nativity and has learn the song "Away in a Manger". She even sang it for Lala last night on the phone! Always good to keep them a little grounded.

Kay said on Thursday, December 14th @ 09 :11 AM CST