This weekend was our 3rd Preschool Family Campout at Huntsville State Park. A cold front blew through the area and there were 8 very cold preschool families. I am one of those few people who prefers hot weather over cold weather. I was miserable. Last night I laid in my bed, and although I was thankful to be inside, I was still complaining in my head about how cold I was. As I laid there I felt a conviction about being thankful for what I have. Even though I was cold in the outdoors, I had a nice car with heat to drive home in, a nice home with heat and plenty of warm clothes and hot meals. How quickly we become selfish when things are not going our way.
As Thanksgiving approaches we should take this opportunity to teach our children about being thankful and the blessings we have. The holiday season is also a good time to teach them about giving to other children and families who don't have the luxuries we have.
UBC is participating in a Habitat for Humanity project. It teaches children to be thankful for their homes and has a nice built in plan that includes praying to give thanks for your home, for the people who don't have homes, and ways to give money to Habitat. The Connection Cafe at UBC has more information or you can contact Kristin at kristin.wood@ubc.org.
Operation Christmas Child and Lighthouse of Hope are two ways your family can learn about giving to others. Include your preschooler in the buying. Find a way to have them feel the sacrifice of what you are giving. Instead of going to McDonalds or Chick-Fil-A one day pack a picnic lunch and spend the money on gifts for other children. Explain to your preschooler about how we are giving up something extra in our lives to help others.
Yesterday at church the preschoolers learned about David Thanking God, 1 Chronicles 15:1-4, 11-12, 14-28; 16:1-43. Look for some specific things your family can thank God for this week. Is there something your family has been praying for that has finally happened? Do you get to visit some far away family members for the holidays?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Friendship
Finding friends can be easy for some people and very difficult for others. Some people have lots of friends and some feel more comfortable with just a few close friends. Today our preschoolers learned about two men, David and Jonathon, who were very close friends despite the obstacles in their way (1 Samuel 14:49; 18:1-4; 20:4, 17). David and Jonathon loved one another and they were committed to building a great friendship.
This week as I studied the story of David and Jonathon there were several things I thought about.
1. During this Thanksgiving season what are some ways I can show my friends I am thankful for them? (write them a card, have coffee together, etc.)
If your preschooler has a close friend this would be a great time to teach them about being thankful for friends. Talk to your preschooler about their friends. What do they like about them? What do they like to do with their friends? Make a card or plan a playdate during this season to say thank you for being a great friend.
2. As a parent do you foster friendships your children make or do you stand in the way. Saul caused strife between David and Jonathon. As your children begin to develop their own personalities and characteristics it is important to allow them to choose their friends. Yes boundaries have to be set and monitored, but as preschoolers allow them play with different people as they learn how to cooperative, share and work together. Setting playmates with your friends is fun, but make sure your children have opporutnities to develop friendships as well.
This week as I studied the story of David and Jonathon there were several things I thought about.
1. During this Thanksgiving season what are some ways I can show my friends I am thankful for them? (write them a card, have coffee together, etc.)
If your preschooler has a close friend this would be a great time to teach them about being thankful for friends. Talk to your preschooler about their friends. What do they like about them? What do they like to do with their friends? Make a card or plan a playdate during this season to say thank you for being a great friend.
2. As a parent do you foster friendships your children make or do you stand in the way. Saul caused strife between David and Jonathon. As your children begin to develop their own personalities and characteristics it is important to allow them to choose their friends. Yes boundaries have to be set and monitored, but as preschoolers allow them play with different people as they learn how to cooperative, share and work together. Setting playmates with your friends is fun, but make sure your children have opporutnities to develop friendships as well.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Family Matters
The holidays are fast approaching and the craziness of baking, shopping, wrapping and decorating will consume our lives. I have always looked forward to holidays and the traditions I get to experience with my family. As we have grown up and life has moved on our family traditions have changed. Family members have passed on and new people have joined our family through marriages and new babies. When my family gathers for the holiday I have a choice to make to be happy with the time I have with my family or sulk because everyone will not be there when we decorate the Christmas tree.
Yesterday the preschoolers learned about Joseph's love for his family (Genesis 45:1-11,16-28; 46:26-34; 47:1-11). If anyone has ever had a "right" to choose not to love his family it was Joseph. He didn't get caught up in the wrong his brothers did to him, but looked at the ways he could serve and love his family. He rejoiced in their reunion.
I pray that as the holidays approach that my attitude is love. I pray that my focus be on ways I can serve those around me and rejoice in the time we have together.
As Thanksgiving approaches we will have many opportunities to teach our preschoolers about loving the people around us.
Make serveral cards or turkeys with your preschoolers.
Have them pick important people in their life to give them to for Thanksgiving.
Ask them why they love them and write it for them on the card or turkey.
This is a way they can think about reasons they love their family members and why they are thankful for them. It will also give your loved ones a chance to see how important they are in the life of your child.
Some Thanksgiving Craft Ideas:
http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/holiday_themes/thanksgiving_art.html
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-fall.htm
http://www.makingfriends.com/fallcrafts/turkey.htm
Yesterday the preschoolers learned about Joseph's love for his family (Genesis 45:1-11,16-28; 46:26-34; 47:1-11). If anyone has ever had a "right" to choose not to love his family it was Joseph. He didn't get caught up in the wrong his brothers did to him, but looked at the ways he could serve and love his family. He rejoiced in their reunion.
I pray that as the holidays approach that my attitude is love. I pray that my focus be on ways I can serve those around me and rejoice in the time we have together.
As Thanksgiving approaches we will have many opportunities to teach our preschoolers about loving the people around us.
Make serveral cards or turkeys with your preschoolers.
Have them pick important people in their life to give them to for Thanksgiving.
Ask them why they love them and write it for them on the card or turkey.
This is a way they can think about reasons they love their family members and why they are thankful for them. It will also give your loved ones a chance to see how important they are in the life of your child.
Some Thanksgiving Craft Ideas:
http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/holiday_themes/thanksgiving_art.html
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-fall.htm
http://www.makingfriends.com/fallcrafts/turkey.htm
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