‘Tis the season to be jolly! Young children love the beautiful colored lights, delicious treats, and pretty wrapped surprises that mark the holiday season! Right now, your kids might be writing out their wish lists, planning to build a snowman, and looking forward to tasty meals and fun activities with family and friends. In all the excitement, it can be easy for children to focus on getting and not on giving. How can you help the little ones in your life understand the benefits of giving back, sharing their gifts, and helping those in need?
To help involve your child in helping other families, have your kiddo assist you in choosing toys or gifts for families in need. Kids feel especially connected when they’re choosing a gift for a child close in age to their own. Take your child with you to the store to pick out the perfect gift for another child. Then, he or she can wrap the present (perhaps with a little help) and drop it off at preschool for a toy drive.
To help your child understand the impact of this action, ask questions such as, What do you think the child’s face will look like when they open the gift? How will he feel? How will she play with the toy? Encourage further reflection by asking, How do you feel when you receive a toy? or How does it feel to give a gift to someone else?
The Gardner School makes charitable giving a priority at all our preschool locations across the U.S. Each location picks a reputable local organization to support during this season of giving. One way many of our schools give back is through programs like 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. All four of The Gardner School’s Minneapolis-area schools are Toys for Tots drop-off locations, and they appeared on local Minneapolis media channel KARE 11 to showcase its 2019 Toys for Tots drive.
Other ways our schools are giving back this year include adopting local families who may need some assistance during the holidays. TGS Lincoln Park and TGS West Loop supported Lurie’s Chidren’s Hospital through a toy drive, and TGS Naperville helped families through Naperville Township’s Adopt-A-Family Sponsorship Program. TGS Louisville collected donations to provide food and clothing for two “adopted” families who are staying at The Cabbage Patch Settlement House for at-risk children and their families, and TGS Franklin sponsored six families through Williamson County CASA, who advocates for abused and neglected children within the court systems.
Our schools have also seen the power of encouragement during the holiday season go a long way. Through sending holiday cards to troops overseas and collecting coats or canned food for local shelters and food banks, our children and their families have been able to meet some simple and important needs. TGS Eagan sent some holiday cheer to troops overseas through Operation Christmas Cards, and TGS Blue Ash worked alongside Operation Give Back to support families in the Sycamore School District. And, to provide those in need with warm coats for the cold Chicago winters, TGS Oak Brook joined forces with the Chicago Bears through a coat drive.
Helping Children Grow in Generosity and Giving
G is for “Gardner” and for “giving.” The Gardner School incorporates opportunities for children to practice generosity by giving back to our communities. Families, teachers, administration, and leadership at The Gardner School all pitch in to make someone else’s holiday brighter. While parents automatically help kids practice academic skills, habits of mind such as empathy and compassion also are developed through practice. This can help kids look beyond themselves to understand what the larger community may need. Even young children value the opportunity to help others and to make a difference in the world around them. To learn more about how we give back to our communities and help little ones grow in generosity, schedule a tour to visit The Gardner School preschool location nearest you.
