Celebrating the holidays provides the perfect opportunity for parents to model habits of giving, generosity, and sharing with preschool-aged children. As you introduce your child to helping others, it’s important to remember that gratitude is a habit that can be practiced. Even very young children can grasp the concept of giving to others. When parents involve children in making the world a better place, kids understand that their actions will have an impact.
During the holiday season, take time to implement rituals of giving back to others. There are so many ways to do this, and you can change your approach based on your child’s age and their interests. As your children grow, involve them even more deeply in the ways your family gives to your community. Starting now will help build a family culture of gratitude, giving, and generosity.
1. Donate Toys, Clothes, and Games
Before the winter holidays or birthdays, kids can sort through toys and clothing to pick out items that might benefit another child. Explain that in the same way older siblings pass on clothes and toys to younger siblings, children can give away their belongings to other kids. While your eight year old may have outgrown “Chutes and Ladders,” there could be a five year old who would love to play the game with his father, sister, or mother. Involve your child in choosing gently used items, and then let them go with you to drop the items off at a local secondhand store or charity.
2. Help Prepare Meals and Food for Others
It can be difficult for kids to understand the concept of food insecurity. Volunteering at a food pantry or women’s shelter can help you explain how food is an essential need that must be met for a family to thrive. Kids too young to volunteer can help collect cans or dry goods to take to the pantry, and older kids can help with packing pallets of food to be delivered to families in need.
3. Choose a Charity to Support as a Family
Kids understand generosity much more when they feel a personal connection to those they are helping. On their wish lists, encourage them to ask for a certain amount of money or an item they can donate to an organization to which they feel connected. If possible, have each child choose a charity of his or her choice. You may be surprised what they are drawn to supporting. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce them to the wide world of nonprofit organizations doing their best to help others. From medical organizations to charities supporting animals, there’s truly something for everyone!
4. Make and Give Homemade Gifts
When your child bakes cookies, draws a picture, or builds a clay creation, have her practice giving to others by sharing what she’s made. Neighbors or family members will be delighted to receive a handmade object, and your child will understand the joy of giving a gift and feeling it warmly accepted. And, she’ll understand that not all gifts have to be purchased at a store.
5. Choose a Preschool That Supports Giving Back
The Gardner School understands the value of providing ways for children to develop empathy by connecting with others. By investing in strong connections in our local community, we prioritize these volunteer opportunities for our staff and students.
We also make it a priority at all our preschool locations across the U.S. to pick a reputable local organization to support during the holidays. One way many of our schools give back is through a program such as Toys for Tots or the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. These organizations partner with local families who are in need of holiday gifts for children. Involving children in the practice of giving is essential to help them grow in generosity and giving.
