Everything about the book Rosie Sprout’s Time to Shine by Allison Wortche and pictures by Patrice Barton is Spring-y, from the names of the children to the plants the children grow with their teacher. Overall, it is a book about selflessness and overcoming jealousy. As we read the book, five-year-old Strawberry and I discussed the feelings we […]
Service for Young Children: Share Christmas Treats
There is one thing my preschooler always loves doing, and that is eating sugar-filled anything. It is our tradition then to bake Christmas treats for friends each year. Preparing Christmas treats and giving them to friends is a simple and fun activity for young children. We share Christmas treats to show that we care.
Service for Young Children: Singing Christmas Carols
Caroling helps lift one’s own spirits, and it is fun for the recipient as well. Singing Christmas carols for family, friends, or individuals in a local retirement center can help bring the Christmas spirit, as well as bring children out into the community during the holidays. I have fond memories of Christmas caroling as a child […]
Service for Young Children: Give the Twelve Days of Christmas
Our family is trying a new tradition this year! We will be “elves” helping pass along the Christmas spirit by delivering gifts for the Twelve Days of Christmas. We’ve decided on a family we know and love, and we are going to surprise them each day with a Christmas treat of some kind! My kids […]
Service for Young Children: Donate Toys
Another thing we try to do each holiday season is revisit our abundance and decide which things we no longer need. We donate toys, as well as books and clothes, that we no longer need. When we donate gently used toys, we give others the chance to enjoy them more than we do. Donating toys […]
Service for Young Children: “Giving Tree” Presents
A favorite tradition for our young family is to find a name on the community “giving tree” for whom to get a present. The giving tree, which is called an “angel tree” in some communities, is a tree with names of people (usually children) who have specific needs. By focusing on a specific individual with […]
Hands-On and Interactive Community Helpers Activities
Last week my daughter and I read some great books about community helpers and did some activities to recognize the community workers all around us. Now we are noticing all the people that help us on a regular basis. The librarian, the eye doctor, the worker at the dry cleaners, and the construction workers along the side […]