Hey Seattle parents! With the holidays upon us, it’s the perfect time to nurture the spirit of generosity in our children. Not only does this season offer countless opportunities to give, but it also allows us to teach valuable lessons in empathy and kindness. Let’s dive into some practical ways to develop these essential traits in our kids.
Children are keen observers.
One simple yet powerful way to teach generosity is by performing acts of kindness ourselves. For instance, next time you’re grocery shopping with your kids, let someone go ahead of you in line and explain why you did it. It’s a small gesture, but it shows your child the value of thinking about others’ needs.
Gifts That Give Back:
Select gifts that contribute to a good cause. Websites like UncommonGoods offer a variety of gifts that donate a portion of the proceeds to charities. Another great option is World Wildlife Fund’s symbolic adoption, where your purchase helps protect endangered species. These Gifts shift the focus on the getting to the giving, which can shift their perspective of the season.
Family Volunteer Opportunities:
Seattle is rich with volunteer opportunities during the holiday season. Consider joining a Thanksgiving meal event at Union Gospel Mission or help sort donations at Northwest Harvest’s food bank. These activities are perfect for teaching kids about giving back to their community.
Homemade Gifts and Cards:
Encourage your kids to make homemade gifts or cards. Simple ideas include baking cookies, creating photo albums, or making hand-painted ornaments. These gifts often hold more sentimental value than store-bought ones. For cards, try making handprint art or a collage of family photos, adding a personal touch to your holiday greetings.
Explaining Empathy:
Explaining empathy to a 6-year-old can be as simple as saying, “Empathy is understanding and caring about how others feel.” A great bedtime story that teaches empathy is “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” by Philip C. Stead, available here on Amazon.
Making Generosity a Tradition:
One way our family loves to give back to those who need it most in our city is by assembling care packages for the unhoused. Gather essentials like toiletries, socks, and non-perishable snacks from a dollar store, and pack them into paper bags. Keep these bags in your car, so whenever you and your kids see someone in need, you can offer them a care package.
Embracing the spirit of generosity this holiday season can make a world of difference in our kids’ lives. By engaging in these activities, we’re not just celebrating; we’re imparting valuable life lessons. So let’s make this holiday season in Seattle a time of giving, learning, and growing together.
Your Turn:
The holidays are the perfect time to teach generosity, and we’d love to help keep that spirit alive in your home. What’s one way you and your family give back this season? Reflecting on this can inspire meaningful conversations with your kids about kindness and gratitude.
Looking for more ways to channel that energy? Head over to our YouTube channel for brain break videos that get kids moving, thinking, and practicing teamwork—all with fun, engaging adventures. Whether it’s dodging lava or tackling movement puzzles, we’ve got activities to keep your kids entertained and active over the holiday break.
Let’s keep the spirit of generosity going and give our kids the tools to grow into compassionate, confident individuals!
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