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Quote of the Week
"Keep your Christmas heart open all the year round." -- Jessica Archmint
Serving During The Holidays
"How do you tear your kids away from the TV, the video game, the computer and onto a service activity? Bribe them? Flip all the switches in the breaker box so that all the power is cut-off? Threaten them while also gritting your teeth,”You are going to have FUN!” I’ve worked with teenagers and many of them “groan” when you say that it is time to do a service project. Researchers show that toddlers want to help others, that there is even a physical response when they see another toddler that needs help. What is it about service that turns this propensity to serve into a groaning, eye rolling 12 year old? I believe that it is partly because service is work. [...]
You want to get your children serving more? Then you need to know: Newton’s First Law of Motion applies. Things in motion tend to remain in motion. Things at rest tend to stay at rest. Kids that serve tend to continue to serve. Kids that are at rest tend to stay at rest. If you rarely ask you kids to serve, it will take more effort to get them going to serve. At the same time, the amazing thing about that rule and how it crosses into service: once they start serving, they will gain so much from it and want to do it AND even suggest to do it themselves."
This week's featured article shares some helpful insights on how you can inspire all children, little ones right through to teenagers, to tap into their hearts and serve others this holiday season and beyond. [read more]
Reading Corner
 Title: The Teddy Bear
By: David McPhail
Ages: 3-6
Why?: "The kind of love shown by the little boy in this story is timeless! In this story a teddy bear belonging to the little boy is loved very much. One day though the teddy bear got left behind at a restaurant and although the family went back to get it, it was too late and the bear had already gone. Unbeknown to the family, the bear had been thrown in the trash where he was found by a lonely homeless man. Now the little boy is very sad and the man has a new companion. How does the bear feel? Although he misses the little boy, he is enjoying his new life and most importantly he is still loved. One day the man was in a park looking for something and put the bear on a bench. It just so happened that the little boy and his family were also in the park that day. Imagine their surprise when they see the long missing bear! Grabbing the bear, they go on their way but then they hear the man crying. What will the little boy do?" -- Amazon Review
Recommended by Kindful Kids Editors
Be The Change
Looking for ways to help your children transform their inspiration into action and embrace the spirit of giving? Check out this 24 Days of Kindness countdown calendar! It features simple and easy acts of kindness ideas for kids to do (and grown-ups, remember to lead by example!). Print it out and give it a go!
Kindful Kids newsletter is a resource for parents who are keen to teach children about compassion and service. It reaches 4,026 subscribers. You can unsubscribe here.
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