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Volume 2 Issue 11
December 2004
The Magic of the Season
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 winter holidays are here! With them come days filled to the brim with things to do -- at home
and in your classroom. Children are full of excitement that is sometimes hard to contain; and, with
so much going on all around them, they can easily misconstrue the real meanings of the holidays.
As your students chatter about their “wish lists,” you can help re-direct their focus
and fill them with an understanding of caring for others. Even very young children can grasp the
concepts of giving, spreading happiness, and reaching out beyond themselves. Not only will your
students be proud of their efforts, they will also feel actively involved in the true magic of the
season.
Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
WISH LIST
Invite children to create a“Wish List” for another person. Let them dictate
a list of wishes for a sibling, a parent, or a friend.
REMEMBERING OUR HELPERS
Remind children of the people who help them all year long. Ask them: What can we do for the school
secretary? cafeteria workers? custodian? Children might present a class painting or booklets of
their drawings to these helpers.
GIFT COUPONS FOR PARENTS, OTHERS
Help children think of services they could provide for others. At home, they might dry the dishes
each night for a week, dust, or help sort the laundry. Children can present these “gifts”
in the form of coupons to family members or neighbors. See a sampling of winter holiday gift coupons
on Education World at www.educationworld.com/tools_templates/index.shtml#holiday.
A SONG TO SHARE
After teaching an age-appropriate holiday song (s), invite children to go caroling. You might take
children to a community nursing home or to visit others in your school such as your principal, reading
specialist, or school nurse.
DON’T FORGET NATURE
Encourage children to think of the needs of pets and wildlife, too. Making bird feeders with pinecones
and peanut butter, or shortening and sunflowers seeds, can help your feathered friends get through
the winter months. Perhaps children can make toys for their own pet or a classroom pet. A stuffed
sock for a dog or colored feathers at the end of a stick for a cat will keep pets happy and entertained.
SHARING IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED
As children think of ways to care and share, be sure to talk about how their acts of giving will
be received. Discuss how recipients will feel about children’s thoughtful gifts and why each
kind of gift will be appreciated.
Check out the following Web sites for more
background and activities.
Education World
December Holidays Archive
Don’t miss Education World’s December Holidays archive. There you will find ideas for
holiday projects, gifts students can make for holiday giving, and much more!
http://www.educationworld.com/holidays/archives/december.shtml
Holiday Fun
Find activities, crafts, and much more for Hanukkah, Christmas, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, and other holidays
of the year.
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/
Operation Blessing -- Holiday of
Hope
Money donated by a class can buy clothes, toys, or food for children and others in need. This program
has touched millions of people through its efforts.
http://www.ob.org/programs/holiday/index.asp
Christmas Greetings From around the World.
Teach children to say “Merry Christmas” in languages from almost anywhere. This listing
is alphabetical by country.
http://www.christmas.com/pe/1427
American Academy of Pediatrics
This listing of holiday safety tips will help keep children safe and healthy. You are free to excerpt
all or part of this information to send home to families.
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/dectips.htm
Web Holidays
Presents background information about the holiday of Diwali and provides related crafts and recipes.
http://www.web-holidays.com/diwali/index.asp
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