Empathy, A Key Educational Piece In The Christmas Spirit
When it comes to feeding the Christmas spirit in our children, we must ask ourselves what we really would like to see built, if consumerism or empathy and kindness.
Probably no one wants their children to understand the Christmas season as the time of exclusive gifts and big feasts. In fact, we almost certainly seek to rescue the value of memories, encounters and celebrations.
Be that as it may, the important thing is that these dates help us to promote great values and emotional abilities. Among them, solidarity and empathy, basic pillars not only of a healthy Christmas spirit, but of a full education.
How to promote empathy and generosity on these dates?
Basically we have to try to keep our children away from exaggerated consumerism and make them understand that these are moments to be with the family and offer our love to those who need it.
Thus, we can dedicate these dates to make a selection of clothes, toys, books and other objects to donate or give to a social center or any other organization that can later distribute them.
Generally on these dates we can buy non-perishable food with our children and take it easily to food banks, as well as not overdoing the preparation of family meals.
With these simple details, our children will understand the value of doing good and giving a piece of ourselves to others. In fact, they themselves probably find this fact much more rewarding and satisfying than spending all day in the park, shopping, or eating sweets.
Children are good by nature
While children can be selfish at times, they are tremendously generous little people. We just have to arrange the environment for them and help them understand their emotions regarding feelings of belonging.
Kind and compassionate children have a greater sensitivity to the world and the problems that surround it, as well as a greater capacity for reflection on actions that can make the world a more just place.
But, What steps can we take to foster childlike kindness and empathy?
Appreciation as an initial step
If we want our children to value what they receive, we have to make them understand the importance of gratitude. One way to do this is to promote the use of the words thank you and please.
Likewise, even if it is in the letters to the Kings or after a delicious meal, it is very important that the little ones know that everything deserves a thank you.
Solidarity consists of giving what we have, not what we have left over
We are the example of our children and, therefore, the best way to teach them to share is through example. So we must encourage social commitment through generosity and cooperation in projects that require community involvement.
These special dates are ideal to start involving our children in social activities such as distributing food, their toys or even asking for a toy for children in need.
The value of effort and collaboration
Collaborating makes our children very happy, because it makes them feel useful and rewarded through the very realization of whatever activity, so they learn that every effort has its reward.
Making decorations for the house together, thinking about the funniest decoration or the placement of Christmas ornaments is a good option to offer our children the opportunity to collaborate to the maximum in creating a Christmas atmosphere.
Starting the Christmas spirit from kindness, kindness and cooperation may not be entirely easy, but it is the ideal to pursue in early childhood education at all times.
Not only will we help preserve a good Christmas feeling, but we will promote an emotional development appropriate to its time, as we will be feeding them with tools to combat consumerism and prevent them from being victims of marketing.
Remember that although you will be a mother your whole life, they will not always be children; Therefore, this is the time to teach them that what matters are the important things, the real things.