For many preschoolers, the holiday season is a time for sipping hot chocolate, eating delicious food, and opening presents. However, many of them have never had the opportunity of giving back. Volunteering and giving back create awareness of others, build civic responsibility, and foster a positive sense of self, and grow grateful little hearts. You can teach your child to give back during the holiday season by sharing a toy, giving kind words, writing a note, offering a smile, or comforting a sick person. As they grow, so will their empathy and generosity.
Here are some Montessori Preschool Winnetka ideas for creating a little holiday magic for other people.
Bake Cookies for Local Service People and Volunteers
Cooking with a preschooler is not the most mess-free activity, but it is definitely one of the best ways to involve your kids in giving back this holiday. Your kid can help bake cookies and help pass them out to fire stations, police stations, emergency rooms, hospitals, and ambulance bays. Or make some delicious lunches and frozen casseroles to workers in your area who still work over the holidays. Bringing your kids to hand out these thank-you treats will make him/her feel like a real-life superhero.
Make Care Kits for Homeless People
Most homeless people are unsheltered, so when winter kicks in, they face the misery of living in the wet, freezing weather. Buying stockings or care packages and having your kid pick put out fun and practical items to put in them can make a great difference. You can fill the stockings or bags with toiletries, water, sandwiches, a warm pair of gloves or socks, and other useful items. Keep the packages in your car and hand them out to homeless people as you meet them, or drop it off at a local shelter.
Clean Out the Closet and Toy Box
The holiday is a great time for your kids to donate clothing, books, toys, and other things they own. Your preschooler may be resistant to this at first, but it’s normal. Making it a consistent activity will instill in them empathy, generosity, and the ability to let go of material things. Help your preschooler look through closets and toy bins for lightly used items that can be used by other kids who don’t have any. You can also take your child shopping for new toys they’d like, but they will donate to a local nonprofit, homeless shelter, or a hospital.
Donate a Food Bank
Even little kids enjoy going grocery shopping and picking out food items. Ask your child to help choose nonperishable items to donate to a local food bank or ministry. They’re always in need of more food, especially around the holidays.
Volunteer at Animal Shelters
Your kids can help socialize shelter kittens and puppies by playing with them. They can also make homemade biscuits and toys for the animals. You need to explain to your child the importance of what they’re doing in helping the animals get adopted.
Be Crafty
Work with your child to make crafty items for nursing homes, hospitals, and local homeless shelters. Make napkin rings, favors, scrapbooks, or crafts for special occasions. Include handwritten cards and notes from your child. You can also make seasonal decoration crafts to brighten up a hospital and nursing home, or sing a few carols for the gift recipients.Teaching charity to your Montessori Preschool Winnetka child is one of the ways to raise him/her to be a compassionate, selfless person. The holidays are a busy time for everyone, and by taking some to serve others and give back to the community as a family, you’ll teach your kid an invaluable lesson. It can also be a time for family bonding.