GRATITIUDE AND
Giving
WITH OUR KIDS
Learning to be givers shapes children ’ s values and provides opportunities to develop kindness .
Children associate their birthdays and the holiday season with being receivers of gifts . But according to studies in human development , it is gift giving that reaps the biggest psychological rewards .
Gift giving builds empathy .
Gift giving shows others you care . Positive relationships are built upon caring and respect . Even a simple card or e-message with a note of encouragement is viewed as a gift by the recipient .
Gift giving is an act of kindness .
Being kind to others improves a family ’ s and a community ’ s quality of life . Now , one of our very own from AP Pre-K , Grayson and his mom , share about what giving means in his world …
“ What does ‘ giving ’ mean to us ? To provide love or support for others . Some simple ways that we integrate a “ giving ” attitude into our daily routine are :
Conversations – Replacing conversations about which toy a child has to have with a discussion about ways you can give to a less fortunate person or an elderly neighbor .
Process – Many family decisions are made without consulting the children in the family . A child can choose a toy or hat and mittens for a child who has no doll or might be cold this winter .
Give – Children can gift someone by making a card or picture for a long-distance relative , neighbor or teachers .
Grayson loves to give and think of others !”
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