The cheery festival of Christmas holds universal appeal. We can almost sense the love, joy and good will permeating the world. It gives us an opportunity to spend time with near and dear ones, cook and eat together, decorate our homes, exchange presents and revel in the spirit of the season.
Does it also have something in store for children? (Apart from the presents!)
Yes it does!
It presents a wonderful opportunity for children to experience all that the season has to offer. However, this is possible only if we, as adults, can create an environment that would inspire them to participate and thereby experience all the good things the season has to offer. And it is only when they experience for themselves the joys of the season, that they would feel the desire to share the same with others, probably once they are a little older.
Listed below are some ways that would make this possible.
Does it also have something in store for children? (Apart from the presents!)
Yes it does!
It presents a wonderful opportunity for children to experience all that the season has to offer. However, this is possible only if we, as adults, can create an environment that would inspire them to participate and thereby experience all the good things the season has to offer. And it is only when they experience for themselves the joys of the season, that they would feel the desire to share the same with others, probably once they are a little older.
Image Courtesy of Theeradech Sanin/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
- Be open about your enthusiasm for the festival and tell your child how excited you are about the upcoming celebrations.
- Make a list of all that you wish to do for the festival and let your child know about the same.
- Ask your child if he or she would like to do something to celebrate Christmas.
- Be prepared beforehand about the options you would like to give her to contribute to the celebrations.
- Decide if you both would like to work together or if you would like her to plan her own Christmas celebration.
- Some options for the child would include- decorating a Christmas tree, making greetings for friends and family, calling her friends over to see her tree, planning a menu for the day when her friends visit, and hosting her friends when they visit.
- You can give her some exclusive space in your home. The child can decorate that space with her Christmas tree, art work or anything else that she has made for the celebration.
- Last but not the least, remember to involve her in anything that she shows interest in. For example, if you are cooking a special meal and she shows interest in the same, encourage her participation to whatever extent possible. The best way for children to experience the spirit of festivals is by being an integral part of them, rather than just watching all that is being performed by the adults around them.
Involve your child, encourage her participation and allow her to experience the flavour of this merry season! For it is only when we experience the joy of something ourselves that we feel inspired to share the same with the world!
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