What are you getting your children for Christmas?

What are you getting your children for Christmas?

I was a single parent with an only child!
I used to spoil my daughter at Christmas and buy her far too much!

I was horrified one Christmas when she was about five years old! She tore open all her presents without barely looking at them and then said ‘Where is the next one!!’

I was teaching her to be spoilt and greedy!!
christmas child
Of course I didn’t mean to. I was just making up for the fact that I had been one of six children and mostly had my older sister’s hand me downs!

It brought me to thinking – What would be a wonderful gift for children?

If they are still young then I think the best gift you can give them is something creative where they are able to use their imagination.

If you give a child some card, some paper, colouring pencils etc then they will be just as happy if not happier than receiving a toy that walks across the room and which they will probably get bored with after 20 minutes!
You may disagree!?
christmas tree toy

I have worked in primary schools and taken the children for art and creative classes and they are so absorbed and when they are drawing or colouring in! They love it!
At the Rainbow Planet Connection we promote the use of art, drama, creative writing and all sorts of creative expression in our resources and programs.
We have programs for parents and teachers and lots of fun activity books. They are designed to teach children social and emotional intelligence!
They will have better self-esteem, be able to develop healthier friendships and be more able to deal with bullying and other social issues.
Why not take a look at our parent’s page, teacher’s page and other resources?
In the meantime HAPPY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

Tips: Do your children show appreciation for others?

cute puppy n girl blog oct 13

Thanks for being cute and cuddly!

Tip for today from Rainbow Planet Connection – Help your children understand the value of thanking someone in their life who has been kind or caring towards them!

Make appreciation cards together – it is fun and creative and all you need is some card or paper and crayons or paints!

Whether you are a parent, teacher or a person working with children you can have fun helping the children to create an appreciation card for someone in their life that they want to thank! Or it could be a pet!

It is wonderful to help them to take time out and think about someone who loves them or has helped them in some way.

When you thank someone else it helps you to feel good inside too!

On a piece of white card or paper ask the children to create a design (flowers, animals, rainbows or something of their choice) and to think of who they would like to thank and what they would like to say. Make sure they leave some room to write the message!
You may need to help them with this.

Ideas: Thank you for being my friend, Thank you for all the hugs, Thank you for being cute and cuddly.

This idea and more can be found in our activity book Exploring and Expressing feelings  games and activities for children.