Volume 1 Issue 4
December 4, 2003
The Many Faces of Thankfulness
WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Newsletter.
Each month, I'll share some ideas on a familiar teaching
theme. Hopefully you will find a new activity idea or
two -- or a new twist on one of your old favorites!
Since I know you are very busy, I'll be short and sweet
-- like most of activities I suggest.
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The Early Childhood Education Newsletter is brought
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The great art of giving consists in this: the gift
should cost very little and yet be greatly coveted,
so that it may be the more highly appreciated.
-- Baltasar Gracian
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.
-- Lao-Tzu (604 BC - 531 BC)
The season has arrived -- the holiday season that turns
classrooms (and families) upside down! Just when we
think the routines we so carefully establish are firmly
set, along comes December. No matter what holidays --
if any -- the students in your care celebrate, they
are seldom immune to the frenzy around them. The overwhelming
assault of commercialism, travel, decorations, media,
guests, celebrations, concerts...can disturb the equilibrium
of the most stable child.
At this time of year, teachers can help their students
by maintaining the school routine most of the time.
Such consistency can contribute to the emotional health
of children and can help counteract other forces.
One way teachers can help children keep their feet
on the ground (and their heads out of the clouds) is
by turning children's attention outward -- toward others.
Whether done as part of holiday celebrations or just
as part of life, GIVING to others is a habit best learned
during childhood. Giving gifts of themselves can keep
children's minds on their efforts and the people to
whom they will be giving. (And children will be on the
receiving end of "thanks," a great reinforcement
to November's focus on thankfulness.)
Thank YOU for reading this newsletter. GIVE yourself
a break and ENJOY December with your students!
Coming for January: "Beginnings"
Anne Guignon
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
A GIVING Month! (A Giving Week, A Giving Day)
Designate a "giving month" (week or day) as
a time for children to give to others. With your guidance
depending on children's age, the class will brainstorm,
plan, and carry out giving activities. With follow-up
reinforcement activities, academic areas will not be
left out of the party.
GIVE a Song
Learn a new song for students to present to their families
at home -- or present it to parents and invited guests
at school. You may want to make tapes for each family,
so children can present it karaoke-style at home. This
activity is an opportunity to teach and practice skills
such as speaking, performing, inviting, welcoming, and
introducing. You might also work in math skills as you
plan for a presentation at school: How many guests will
be invited? How many will attend? How many tapes will
be needed? Will we serve refreshments? How much will
we need? How many plates and napkins will we need?
GIVE a Hug
Sometimes less IS more. Hugs say I love you, to close
family members. ("...the gift should cost very
little and yet be greatly coveted...")
Make cards to give with the hug that say: Here is a
present from me -- A HUG!
1. Start with paper in the shape of a triangle, long
side along bottom.
2. Fold in the outside corners (hugging arms). Attach
a head at the top point.
There's your hug card!
GIVE a "Tasting Table" Party
Otherwise known as potluck. Class members (teachers
too!) contribute favorite finger foods. With a focus
on "just tasting" children will be more likely
to try new things. Invite special people: the principal,
secretary, nurse, bus drivers, community helpers...
GIVE
What other gifts can young children give? They can give
their company, money raised, gently-worn and outgrown
clothing (coats, boots) and food, prayers, cards, letters,
books homemade and commercial, tapes, artwork.
And whom can they give to? They can give to the less
fortunate, soldiers, aged, soup kitchens and shelters,
children's home, school staff, another class at school,
another school...
Holidays
on the Net
Find dates, facts about, and activities for Christmas,
Chanukah, and Kwanzaa (as well as holidays all year
long). http://www.holidays.net/
Psych
Savvy
Children and Holidays: A Holiday Survivor's Guide Parent
Handout Suggestions for parents -- and teachers too
-- from the Anchorage School District Psychology Department.
(Note: This is a pdf file; it might take longer to download than the usual Web page.) http://www.asdk12.org/depts/sped/savvy/Nov92.pdf
Emergency
Medical Services Authority
The emergency medical services provider for more than
1.1 million people in Central and Northeast Oklahoma
provides holiday safety tips for parents and teachers. http://www.emsaonline.com/mediacenter/emsaonline.cfm#holi
Two more Web sites will help teachers looking to connect
children to the larger world...
Heifer International
Money raised by a class can buy a gift of trees or livestock
for a family in a developing country. From chicks and
bees to llamas, water buffalo and heifers, the gifts
help families become self-supporting. The animals can
become subjects of classroom units too! http://www.heifer.org/
First Book
First Book is a national nonprofit organization with
a single mission: to give children from low-income families
the opportunity to read and own their first new books. http://www.firstbook.org/
Last updated 11/19/2007
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