Martin Luther King Day and Developing Character Traits of Service

January 20th is Martin Luther King Day and  February is Black History Month. It is a great time of year to introduce students to this great leader, his life and his legacy. Teaching students about Martin Luther King's dream and encouraging them to think about how they would like to change the world is a great way to help children recognize the injustice in the world and instill in them the character trait of service.

No matter the seriousness of the topic, whenever you are working with young children you need to be ready to smile and be refreshed by their perception of the world. Here are a few stories I have heard that gave me a chuckle:

• Grappling with the civil rights leader's long name is sometimes daunting. One kindergarten student called him 'Martin Lulu King' .
• A first grade teacher had her students write about what they would do to change the world if they had a dream. One student in her class said she would provide coats for all cancer patients. Is there a slight disconnect here?
• And finally, a friend of mine reported that her grandson was quite upset that his grandmother who works "right around where Martin Luther the King went to church" had not reminded him of the birthday. This same child, newly reminded of the segregation injustices of Martin Luther King's time, pointed out to his mother with great concern and indignation that the Egg Beaters carton clearly states on the front 'Whites Only'.

Schools Develop a Spirit of Service

Developing the notion of service is an important antidote to the self-centered nature of the typical child.  It is something that can be started early in small ways and then developed into bigger projects as the child grows.  Schools are perfect environments for this and in addition to teaching children to be service and correct injustice, schools can also initiate service projects throughout the year.  Not only does this inspire generosity, but it also brings attention the injustice and inequality in the world.  Everything from UNICEF collections at Halloween to collecting food and coats for homeless shelters can be a call to action for children.

Parents Develop a Spirit of Service

Parents too can encourage this mindset. Determining the child's interests and concerns and then finding ways to serve in those areas is the best way to get cooperation. Too many children (and adults for that matter) are insulated from the inequalities, the hardship in the world. Developing service projects as whole families is one way to overcome this. For instance, I know one family that went to the Union Mission to serve lunch on Martin Luther King's birthday. Even young children can learn to give food, toys or clothing to those in need.

The best and most life changing service however, is service that involves giving of more than our excess. It involves giving something more substantial such as our time and energy. Spending a Saturday morning in a soup kitchen for the homeless, or volunteering in a nursing home to visit with residents who have no family are great ways that families can impact their community and ultimately the world. Service that moves us out of our comfort zone and challenges us to make a difference develops children and ultimately adults, of compassion and character.

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Merry Christmas to all from Wyatt the Wonder Dog and Lynne!

Merry Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land,

Wyatt and friends were feeling quite grand.

They’d learned quite a bit about its meaning you see---

For the spirit of Christmas is generosity.

Wyatt used to think Christmas was all about things;

Presents and toys, electronics that ding.

But now he knows Christmas is giving and sharing,

It’s not about getting, but helping and caring.

So Wyatt wishes you a Christmas of love,

One filled full of joy and grace from above!!

 

A Very Merry Christmas from Lynne and Wyatt!

 

The Five Love Languages of Christmas

The holiday season is almost upon us and as usual there is a lot of discussion about gifts. A big dilemma for me when my children were little was what to get them and how much to get them. The lists they gave me seemed endless and changed continually, depending on the current toy being advertised on television. Just when I thought I had a plan, the number one gift suddenly plummeted to number twenty and something new was number one. I was frustrated and bewildered.

What Message Are We Sharing with Our Children? 

Christmas can be a time of blessing our children or spoiling our children. It's hard to draw the line as to when blessing becomes over indulging but many adults would agree that children today in many households are growing up with a sense of entitlement rather than a sense of empowerment and responsibility. Here are some messages that gift giving can communicate:

• the way to demonstrate love is through things
• the way to make up for parenting neglect is through things
• the way to manipulate children into behaving is through providing things
• the path to happiness is accumulating things

Notice how the word thing is in every sentence?  Learning to give and receive is an important part of the holiday.  Making sure that things don't become the focus of Christmas is important.

Recognizing the Five Love Languages

Recognizing our children's personality or temperament is one way to give positive messages throughout the year but especially at Christmas. As parents we connect best with our children when  we speak to them through the five love languages. They are:

• Words of affirmation--Could you write your child a Christmas letter that expresses gratitude for all their unique qualities?
• Acts of service--Could you share a service project together? It could be something that helps the community, family members or even the world.
• Receiving gifts--We all focus on this one at Christmas! One suggestion for managing this aspect of Christmas is to buy your child three gifts: one gift that the child wants, one that they need and one that is a surprise. I think this suggestion is fabulous and it covers all the possibilities. It has an element of fun, an element of practicality or educational value and it also gives the child a choice but forces some prioritizing of items.
• Quality time--Could your gift be spending some special time enjoying a particular activity together?  Could you make some family memories?
• Physical touch--Hopefully this is a part of every day but a gift could focus on a relaxing back rub before bed or an evening of snuggling in front of a movie as a family.

Teaching children to become other-focused rather than self-centered and me-focused is an important step in making sure that our children grow up to be caring compassionate adults. There are many ways to encourage this in our children, but Christmas is a season especially rich in opportunities to bless our children.

Looking for a great book to help you understand the five love languages and how they can relate to children? Check it out here:




Looking for a great book to help children understand the difference between getting and giving?  Check out:

True Story: First Edition of Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving Goes for $1,000.00!!

Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving

It's true... one of the first copies of Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving went for $1,000.00!  Here's the scoop:  One of the teachers at my school rewards her students for good behavior with "dollars"  they can add to their  "bank account".  It might be $10.00 for following directions or $15.00 for turning in an assignment on time.  Each student keeps up with their mounting bank account (some good math practice is going on here) and at the end of a grading period there is a much anticipated auction where students can spend their "money" by bidding on various items.  There is lots to choose from: candy and toys, books and stuffed animals. One of the items in the auction this week was a copy of Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving.  Guess what the book went for?  $1,000.00!!  My friend Daniel was the winner and is pictured below:



The Story Behind Wyatt the Wonder Dog

In a society where a feeling of entitlement is commonplace, it is refreshing to meet children and adults who express gratitude and generosity. When I began writing the story, Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving, I wanted to help children understand the power of being generous and giving, no matter their age or economic status. Some of the most generous people are not necessarily the wealthiest. Mother Teresa or Nelson Mandela are examples of people who have given their lives in service to others.

When Wyatt's story begins, he is concerned about how long he has to wait until Christmas and what gifts he will receive. However, by the end of the story, Wyatt understands that his ability to be giving to others is a more important concern. It really is more blessed to give than to receive!

Three Concepts to Learn about Generosity

Developing the trait of generosity and kindness is something that can be started early in small ways and then developed into bigger projects as children grow.  Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving   teaches the following concepts:

• Kindness and generosity can be something very small, such as letting someone go first in line. We all have opportunities to be kind and generous daily.
• Kindness and generosity encourages kindness and generosity. When we are kind and generous it begins a never ending spiral of similar acts.
• Everyone, no matter their age or finances can be generous. 

There Are Bonuses!!

Beginning Sunday, October 20 through Sunday October 27th, Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving will be discounted on Amazon.  In addition, every book is loaded with bonuses.

There is a link to an audio file of Neil Scott-Barbour--The British Voice Talent,  reading the story. This audio is a real gem!  Neil reads the story with an engaging and compelling voice.  His rendition of Wyatt is classic.  Each book includes the following additional bonuses:

• discussion questions
• directions for creating a paper chain Christmas countdown
• information on therapy dogs, which are models of generosity
• a template for a Christmas coupon book 
• coloring sheet

Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving is available in both paperback and Kindle formats. 

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Teaching Children Three Concepts about Generosity

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

~Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

Developing the trait of generosity and kindness is something that can be started early in small ways and then developed into bigger projects as children grow. What I love about this video is that it demonstrates these three concepts:

• Kindness and generosity can be something very small, helping someone up who falls or carrying something that is heavy for someone else.  We all have opportunities to be kind and generous daily.
• Kindness and generosity encourages kindness and generosity.  When we are kind and generous it begins a never ending spiral of similar acts.
• What you give comes back to you.   

All ages can learn to share random acts of kindness regularly, daily.  When we as parents and teachers model kindness and generosity we can be assured that the thread will continue and ultimately come back to us.
 
Developing and participating in service projects is one way to encourage children to develop a spirit of generosity.  Most schools provide ample opportunities for students to do this from donating canned goods at Thanksgiving to contributing funds when disaster strikes in different parts of the world. Age is of course a factor as well but even young children can learn to give food, toys or clothing to those in need. The best and most life changing service however, is service that involves giving of more than our excess. It involves giving time in service. This might mean spending a Saturday morning in a soup kitchen for the homeless, or volunteering in a nursing home visiting with residents who have no family. It's cleaning up a park or helping out at an animal shelter. Service that moves us out of our comfort zone and challenges us to make a difference in the world develops children and ultimately adults, of compassion and character.

The newest book in the Wyatt series addresses the issues of generosity and giving.  It's not quite ready for publication yet but stay tuned and I'll let you know as soon as its available.  Here's the cover:

Get ready for the upcoming school year by downloading a FREE digital copy of Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns About Being Organized.  It will be available Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 on Amazon.  Here's the link:  Wyatt book

If you are near Woodstock, Georgia on Friday, August 2nd at 6:30pm, come visit me at Foxtale Book Shoppe where I will be signing Wyatt books with lots of other local authors.  I'm also giving away this bag of goodies!  I'd love to see you there.

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New Wyatt the Wonder Dog Book Coming Soon!!

It may be summertime but Wyatt the Wonder Dog and friends are hard at work producing his newest book, Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns About Giving.  In the picture above you can see myself, Sammy Sudbury, our book layout expert and Pam Gardner, the illustrator pouring over the new edition.  Every book gets better and better and this one promises to be the best one yet!

 

Wyatt is always wondering about something and in this story, he is wondering what he  will receive for Christmas.  Wyatt's wise mother suggests he needs to learn the meaning of the word, generosity and instead wonder  what he will give others for Christmas.  By the end of the story Wyatt has not only learned the meaning of generosity, but he has also discovered many ways that others give of their time and talents. The book features not only Wyatt and but our very own, Lacy the therapy dog who regularly visits Sixes Elementary. 

As we get closer to publication date, I will be sending out regular updates.  Join the Wyatt the Wonder Dog facebook page to stay informed.  Be on the lookout for a free download that will include an audio recording of the book!  I can't wait to share Wyatt's newest adventure with you!!

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Pete the Cat Save Christmas and Teaches About Generosity

Cover of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

I've written before about how much I love the Pete the Cat books.  New this year is a book all about Pete the Cat saving Christmas and it is as clever and colorful as the original.  The story begins with Santa getting sick: "Twas the day before Christmas and Santa was ill.  In the cold winter wind he had caught a bad chill."  In desperation, Santa calls Pete the Cat and asks him to help out by delivering the toys, to which Pete replies, "I'll do it... and although I am small, at Christmas we give, so I'll give it my all."  That phrase becomes the basis of a catchy song which you can download here along with the author, Eric Litwin's rendition of the book.  In the end, Pete saves the day by delivering the last gift just in the nick of time to the cheers of all the residents at the North Pole and even Santa himself.

While the book has a catchy rhyming text and splendid illustrations, my favorite part is the message that Pete shares.  Always willing to help out, he sings over and over that although he is small he can give it his all.  This is an important message for children, especially during the Christmas season.  Just as the message of Christmas came in the form of a small baby, so each of us, children included, can contribute something to someone, somewhere during Christmas if we will just respond to the need and give it our all. 

I used this book in classroom guidance during the last week of school before the Christmas break to teach about generosity and giving.  As part of the lesson, students wrote about a way they were generous in the past and plans they had to be generous in the future. 

Do you have other books about Christmas that you would recommend for teaching children to be generous?  How do you teach children this important leason at this time of the year?

I wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!

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Related articles

• Pete the Cat Saves Christmas: James Dean & Eric Litwin
• Pete the cat and his four groovy buttons / created and illustrated by James Dean ; story by Eric Litwin
• Holiday gift guide: Christmas books for kids

Teaching Children to be Generous

English: Santa Claus with a little girl Esperanto: Patro Kristnasko kaj malgranda knabino Suomi: Joulupukki ja pieni tyttö (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's the season of giving and I love using this theme in my guidance lessons this month.  In one class, we have watched videos of students who have given back to the community by providing gifts for foster children and another video of a student who as a cancer survivor, regularly visits other children in the hospital who are facing cancer treatment.  We have read a book or two about children who have used their birthday parties to collect food for pets at the local pet shelter.  Students of course have their own personal stories of giving and I like to involve them in thinking about and planning times to be generous to others all through the year.  We finish the lessons with a writing exercise where students answer two questions.  When was a time that you were generous to someone else?  What can you do to be generous in the future?  There are lots of creative and thoughtful answers with everything from helping endangered species to walking an elderly person across the street.  Of course there are always a few that crack me up... Here's my favorite:

  

When was a time that you were generous to someone else?  

Once I gave my mom a flower for mother's day.  

What can you do to be generous in the future?  

I can get a luxury car for my mom.  

I'm thinking, I'm signing up to be that kid's mom...

Developing the trait of generosity is something that can be started early in small ways and then developed into bigger projects as the child grows. Too many children in this country (and adults for that matter) are insulated from the inequalties, the hardship in the world. Developing and participating in service projects as a family is one way to overcome this. Determining the child's interests and concerns and then finding ways to serve in those areas is the best way to get cooperation. Taking into consideration the personality of the family members involved (as in all family projects) is critical as well.  Some children are better at being the leader while others are less likely to take on a leadership role but are quite dedicated workers. Age is of course a factor as well but even young children can learn to give food, toys or clothing to those in need. The best and most life changing service however, is service that involves giving of more than our excess. It involves giving time in service.  Your family might spend a Saturday morning in a soup kitchen for the homeless, or volunteer in a nursing home to visit with residents who have no family. It's cleaning up a park or helping out at an animal shelter. Service that moves us out of our comfort zone and challenges us to make a difference in the world develops children and ultimately adults, of compassion and character.

Here are some of the missions that benefit children that I'll be donating.  One benefits children in Georgia where I live:  Clark Howard's Christmas kids  which benefits foster children, Kenya Outreach Inc which benefits the Kioni  high school in Kenya by providing textbooks and other supplies and Wellspring Living which is making a difference in the exploitation of children through human trafficking.  

What are some of your favorite charitable organizations?  How do you teach children to  be  generous during the holidays?

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What Does It Mean To Be Generous?

It's the season of giving and I love using this theme in my guidance lessons this month.  In one class, we have watched videos of students who have given back to the community by providing gifts for foster children and another video of a student who as a cancer survivor, regularly visits other children in the hospital who are facing cancer treatment.  We have read a book or two about children who have used their birthday parties to collect food for pets at the local pet shelter.  Students of course have their own personal stories of giving and I like to involve them in thinking about and planning times to be generous to others all through the year.  We finish the lessons with a writing exercise where students answer two questions.  When was a time that you were generous to someone else?  What can you do to be generous in the future?  There are lots of creative and thoughtful answers with everything from helping endangered species to walking an elderly person across the street.  Of course there are always a few that crack me up... Here's my favorite:  Answer to the first question:  Once I gave my mom a flower for mother's day.  Answer to question number two:  I can get a luxury car for my mom.  I'm thinking, I'm signing up to be that kid's mom...

Developing the notion of generosity however is an important antidote to the natural self-centeredness of the typical child.  It is something that can be started early in small ways and then developed into bigger projects as the child grows. Too many children in this country (and adults for that matter) are insulated from the inequalties, the hardship in the world. Developing service projects as whole families is one way to overcome this. Determining the child's interests and concerns and then finding ways to serve in those areas is the best way to get cooperation. Taking into consideration the personality of the family members involved (as in all family projects) is critical as well.  Some children are better at being the leader while others are less likely to take on a leadership role but are quite dedicated workers. Age is of course a factor as well but even young children can learn to give food, toys or clothing to those in need. The best and most life changing service however, is service that involves giving of more than our excess. It involves giving something more substantional such as spending a Saturday morning in a soup kitchen for the homeless, or volunteering in a nursing home to visit with residents who have no family. It's cleaning up a park or helping out at an animal shelter. Service that moves us out of our comfort zone and challenges us to make a difference in the world develops children and ultimately adults, of compassion and character.

I'm a big Dave Ramsey fan and love all of his children's books!  Here's a good one for children on the imprtance of giving:

Three Ways To Develop Compassionate Children

After the recent earthquake and tsunami devastation in Japan, a local Girl Scout Troop at my school approached the principal about helping out. The concerned scout informed him that they wanted to collect donations from students "to help the people in Japan who had been hit by a giant salami". 

Teaching children how to be generous and compassionate is an important concept.  In our 'Me First' society where coming out on top and beating out the competition is strongly promoted, we have a responsibility as parents, teachers and counselors to teach children that everyone, no matter their income or life circumstances can help someone else.  In our busy lives how do we do this?  Here's three easy ways:

1. Make giving a daily concern by teaching them to look for and respond to the little ways every day that they can be helpful to others in their own world.  Can they give someone a hug who is feeling down?  Can they help someone else with a chore even though it really isn't their job?  Can they give a compliment to someone rather than criticize them?
2. When responding to a world tragedy such as the disaster in Japan, find a way that the child can give something personally.  Earning money by completing extra chores, asking for donations instead of birthday presents, even donating used toys or clothing is much more meaningful than dropping off canned goods that mom picked up at the store for them.
3. Participate as a family in activities that model caring for others. Children will remember the Christmas they sang carols at an assisted living facility or served a Thanksgiving meal at a homeless shelter.  Discuss the needs of others and how giving to others makes us all better people. 

Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.