December can be a tricky time. While we all want children who understand concepts of unselfishness and service, Christmastime too often ends up with a lot of emphasis on “What do YOU want for Christmas?”
One of the ways I have tried to help children get a hands-on feel for service is by turning our preschool Christmas party into a service party. (Details and links can be found in this older post.) I took a preschool social studies approach, including projects that represent expanding spheres of social connection: family, neighborhood, and city.
At the service party there are several activities going on at the same time (and parents are there to help). As service to family, the childern can decorate cookies to bring home and share. To serve a neighbor, they put together a meal to share wtih a neighbor who may be in need, sick, or lonely. To serve others in the city, they help make simple fleece scarves or blankets to donate to a local homeless shelter.
The children really seem to enjoy the activities, and I enjoy taking a break from focusing only on what they want out of Christmas. I hope they really get a sense of the joy of service as they take part in each activity.
I enjoyed reading about the Random Acts of Christmas Kindness blogger Tracie carried out with her daughters. From taping quarters to vending machines to handing out Starbucks gift cards to strangers, I really think my boys would get a great deal of satisfaction sharing with others and seeing the reaction or anticipating the reactions as they carry out these various acts.
There are other simple ways. By involving children in the service we already render — delivering gifts to neighbors, shoveling a neighbors walk — we give them the opportunity not only to experience the joy and satisfaction in service, but also build their own sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem. All with an unselfish act.
How do you encourage the children you love and teach to serve in meaningful ways?
As a Christian family, we celebrate the birth of our Savior the month of December. The Savior, Jesus Christ, was born in a stable and laid in a manger. From these humble circumstances he began his mortal ministry. My 5 children enjoy the following Christmas family tradition. It reminds them of the importance of service as well as keeps their focus on Christ.
We have a mini manger as well as a soft little baby doll representing Jesus. In order to make the manger somewhat comfortable for the baby doll, the children must fill the manger with straw. Each piece of straw represents an act of service they have rendered to someone else. By Christmas Eve, the manger is overflowing with straw and the baby doll is placed on top. We share some of the service we gave as well as how we felt. There’s also a sweet book to read aloud to start the tradition each December. It is called The Last Straw by Paula Palagini McDonald. We have adapted the tradition a bit from what occurs in the book but it’s still a great way to serve in the home and community during the month of December.
Love this. No Christmas present can beat that warm fuzzy feeling of doing something nice for others. 🙂
My sons are now 32 and 36 years old and are always freely giving of their time and effort, at work and in their hobbies. They were encouraged to follow their passions and not just earn money for its own sake (although now, having come through some very hard times I want to say “work for the money!” – I don’t!).
One year, before they were teenagers, I decided we should all work the food line for the homeless downtown at Thanksgiving, to remind them of how much better off they were, although we never lived a prosperous life. I was fortunate that my father was a very giving soul so despite him dying when they were under 6 years I was always able to offer his life as something to live by.
I also think we lead by example: freely helping needy friends and elderly neighbors and encouraging them to participate with me. I am very grateful that they are now kind and generous to all ages. We as parents need to live the life we want our children to be.
So sweet! It’s true — when we teach children how to be kind and thoughtful, we are laying the groundwork for a better future!