During December, we try to experience the joy of giving rather than receiving. It can be a very hard concept to understand at this age so to make it more concrete we “go shopping” for gifts that we would buy for someone else. We start by reading the book “Pete the Cat Saves Christmas” which has a repeating theme of “Give it your all, give it your all. At Christmas we give, so give it your all!” We discuss that at Christmas time, we give others presents and brainstorm ideas of the difference between something that WE want and something that Others would enjoy.
Then we fold paper to look like a present and glue ribbon and a bow on it. Then teacher and student team up to “go shopping” in magazines looking for something that we would like to give a loved one. When a gift is found, the students cut it out and glue it to the inside of their present, and write who it is to on the tag. Some of the gifts that were chosen are new houses, tools, flowers, stuffed animals, and real animals! We place “the gifts” on the bulletin board under the tree so everyone can “peek” to see what the gifts are! We found that we enjoy how it feels to give to others! Happy holidays from Preschool!
