This is my favorite time of year, the months of November and December when we traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love these months because it is family time! We plan meals and celebrate the season with our loved ones. I enjoy setting the table with all my holiday center pieces and preparing rich delicious food for everyone to enjoy. It is the time to discuss with our children all the things that we are thankful for. Of course, that really is a discussion that can be had any time of the year. As teachers, parents and grandparents we should strive to cultivate a spirituality within the child. When I speak of spirituality I am focusing on an energy within each individual which creates meaning in their life. We need to create opportunities to assist the children in developing a meaningful life where they contribute positively to others. Our goal is for children to not always think of themselves but others first. Have you witnessed the joy which a child displays when they give a gift they have created to someone they love?
This holiday season I hope you will take the time to make gifts with the children in your life to give to others. The action of creating with a child, is a two-fold gift. You give your time, and then again when you give the gift you created together, thereby bringing joy to the recipient. Forget about your schedule and your cellphone and spend time together being creative. It can be as simple as cooking together and baking gifts. The best gift a child can receive is the gift of yourself to the child! When you spend time with them you convey the message that the child is important to you.
Just as we have concrete materials in our classrooms to build the child’s intellect and motor skills we need concrete activities in which to build the child’s spiritual self to care for others. We must be intentional in creating these special moments. Plan and create a time together and put it on your calendar, so it will happen!
Plan family outings or events that can be repeated annually such as a visit to a pumpkin patch and holiday tree farms, caroling, blueberry picking, or adopting a family in need. When giving to your children, give the gift of time or an experience with your child rather than the latest toy advertised on television. Take them bumper bowling, on a hike, an afternoon at a park or bike riding. Buy the family a membership to a children’s museum, art shop or pottery making facility. Create experiences to remember! That is a true gift and it is telling the children what is important in your life……time with them!
This year, I plan to create each grandchild a photo book along with a narrative of things we have done together as a family this last year. Hopefully it can be a keepsake for them to reflect on and remember. I want them to know that time with them is important to me! The goal is to build the child’s love of family, others and to cherish time together.
“Character formation cannot be taught. It comes from experiences and not from explanations.”
-Maria Montessori
What experiences are you planning this holiday season that will form a child’s character?