(FeatureSource) Thanksgiving, the day of feasting and gratitude, is one of our nation's favorite holidays. This year, teach your kids the value of gathering together and giving thanks.
Trish Kuffner, author of the "Busy Book" series (Meadowbrook Press) says, "Young children may not understand the significance of the holiday, but the sheer abundance of food on the table at most Thanksgiving celebrations makes this an excellent time to encourage a spirit of thankfulness in your child."
There are many ways to encourage your child to think about what she is thankful for. Kuffner offers several suggestions for you and your child: "Donate canned food to a food bank. Set aside good, usable clothing and toys and take them to a local relief agency or bake a plate of cookies or other treats for community workers or homebound friends."
From The Arts and Crafts Busy Book (Meadowbrook Press), Kuffner offers a project that will teach your kids the value of Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving Thankfulness
Materials:
- Old magazines or family photos
- Scissors
- Glue
- Construction paper
- Clear contact paper
- Index cards
- Small box or empty coffee can
- Brown poster board and leaf-colored (green, red, yellow, orange and brown) construction paper
Give your child the magazines and photos and have her cut out pictures of things for which she is thankful. Use the pictures in one of the following ways:
- Glue the pictures onto construction paper and cover with clear contact paper for a Thanksgiving place mat.
- Glue the pictures onto index cards and place them inside a small box or empty coffee can. Each day, have your child chose one card. Talk about what is on the card and why she is thankful for it.
- Draw a tree trunk and branches on brown poster board. Cut leaf shapes from leaf-colored construction paper. Glue the pictures onto the leaves, then glue the leaves onto the branches. Display the tree as a reminder of your blessings.
Author: Carla Beuning
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