Generosity of Spirit How Children Can Participate in Gift Giving

WRITTEN BY KATIE DOLEN | PHOTOS KATIE DOLEN-STATE OF PLAY & NICOLE HILL-WONDER ART WORKSHOP

Generosity can be a natural topic for children and their grown-ups to consider during the holidays, providing an opportunity to reflect on gift giving during a time of year that can often be focused on gift receiving. State of Play educators define generosity with young children as “giving something without expecting or wanting anything in return.”

During a recent class meeting in their school, State of Play students reflected on what generosity means to them.

“It means giving something away that you don’t need.”- Lila, age 4.

“When you give something, you help everybody.” - Mieka, age 4.

When asked to share about a time that they showed generosity to someone else, students replied:

“Watering plants is generous.” - Nelli, age 4

“Lyndon wanted a block in the block area but I was done using it, so I gave it to him.” - Aletta, age 4.

“I give my mom hugs because I love her” - Theo, age 3.

Giving to someone who needs love can be an empowering way for children to understand and embody generosity. Wondering how to begin the conversation at home? First, sit with your child and make a list of a few people they’d like to “show love to.” A neighbor, a friend, a family member… Let your child know that they can show love to someone by making something all by themselves. Remind them that love isn’t something you can buy at a store, it comes from the heart.

Here are a few of State of Play’s favorite homemade gift ideas for kids:

Yarn Paintings - ages 2 and up

Use recycled cardboard or a thick piece of cardstock. Collect a variety of pieces of colored yarn 2-to-5 inches in length. Squeeze glue onto the surface area in different abstract or figurative designs. Cover the paths of glue with the yarn. Ask your child to title their piece. Use the phrase, “Can you tell me about your work?” to see if it elicits a story or details you can write down on the back. Have them sign or make a mark to represent their name. Frame their piece to make the gift more finished.

Self Portraits - ages 3 and up

Cut out a circular piece of cardboard to use as a face. Use watercolors to paint the face first. Glue on buttons or soda can tops for eyes, yarn or feathers for hair, and various sequins or mosaic tiles for the mouth. Ask your child, “How does it feel to be you?” and write their answer on the back of their self-portrait.

“Superpower” Necklaces - ages 4 and up

Use Sculpy (air dry clay) or quick drying “model magic” to form a variety of circular shapes. Stick a wooden skewer through the center of each form to make a bead. Wait until the clay is completely dry and string them onto a piece of colored leather cord. Ask your child to give a pleasant quality or “superpower” to each bead so that the person who wears it can feel those things all day (kindness, bravery, silliness, joy). Write down their answers to give with the necklace.

Tips: In general, choose colors that go well together and add teal, neon pink or neon yellow for a pop of joy. Inexpensive, white frames can be easily found at Michael’s craft store and can turn any project into a work of art.

Remember: Kindness and generosity can start on a local level! Here are some other ways to get your children involved in showing generosity this season: Donate warm and gently used coats or winter boots to those who need them (drop off at One Warm Coat Drive, S. Willson Ave., Bozeman). Donate canned foods to Gallatin Valley Food Bank (E. Griffin Dr., Bozeman). Make a meal for an elderly neighbor or offer to go pick up groceries for a parent with a newborn.

Katie Dolen is the co-founder of State of Play in Bozeman.

December at State of Play:

Tiny Ballet Class + Open Play - Ages 0-6

• Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Join a real ballerina from Montana Ballet Company for this class filled with movement fun.

Mini Circus Class + Open Play - Ages 0-6

• Every Thursday at 9 a.m.

• Join clowns from 406 Cirque for this weekly class filled with juggling, balancing, acrobatics and clowns.

Holiday Sing-Along and Cookie Decorating

• Friday, December 20, 2024 from 4-5 p.m.

• Join State of Play for their third annual holiday singalong with Sarah and Cody from WildArts Music. Decorate cookies from Secret Garden Cookie Co. and enjoy a variety of holiday arts and crafts projects in the art studio.

Holiday Sing-Along and Cookie Decorating - Second Show!

• Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.