It’s never too early to teach your kids empathy and sharing. By the time your child understands a gift, he or she can learn to give to a child less fortunate.  Believe me, no matter how bad you think you have it, someone else has it worse.

Before Christmas, plant the sharing seed.  Explain how other children have less than your family. Explain it very simply.   No matter how small, tell your child she  or he is going to give something to another boy or girl.  It could be a toy she is willing to give away; it could be a pack of gum.  What is given is not the important. What’s important is the value of giving.

Children who give, understand a world bigger than themselves.

Our kids have always been a part of giving.  The best giving was when a child would be outfitted with winter gear.  At that point my son was grown.  He and I had so much fun picking out the entire outfit, with his input being style for the little boy.  That’s the spirit of Christmas.

In the classroom, there was always a Christmas project.  I would collect food, used coats, gently used toys and money. There were a variety of projects throughout the years.    Dimes, pennies and nickels added up unbelievably.  At the end of every project, I would provide a party for the kids.  Every kid felt a sense of satisfaction when giving.  Even if the kid could donate no more than the pennies he found in the car seat, felt an incredible pride.