Teach your children the gift of giving!

It's that time of year again! Holidays and special occasions are important to people all over the world. When families and friends come together, they are able to celebrate such events by sharing their culture and traditions. For many holidays, the exchange of presents is a popular practice and is especially exciting for young children. Sometimes, however, it's easy for kids to get so eager about getting presents that they forget what the celebration is really about. Help your kids see how giving gifts can be even more enjoyable than receiving them!

Children's programming on WHYY TV12 offers a variety of shows that encourage positive social skills and family values. The Berenstain Bears is one such animated comedy about a loving bear family that lives in a tree house together in Bear Country. Sister and Brother Bear often face many challenges, yet are always able to overcome obstacles with the advice of their loving parents and their strong family values. Many of the issues faced by the cubs are common problems for children to encounter as they grow older, such as greed, peer pressure and making the right decisions. Everything is a learning experience for the Berenstain Bears, who realize that if they support one another, anything is possible.

VIEW

Kids can join The Berenstain Bears on their exciting journeys weekdays on WHYY TV 12 at 9:00 a.m. Children will laugh, learn, and identify with Brother and Sister Bear as they discover and grow through their adventures in Bear Country.

DO

Make a homemade toy!

Making something for a friend or relative is a great way to show how much you care about someone. This holiday, help your children make someone a homemade kite!

1) Look around your house for a paper plate. Punch a hole in the plate (about two inches from the edge.)

2) Decorate the paper plate with drawings, colors, or glitter! You can decorate it with the favorite colors of the person to whom you are giving the kite.

3) Attach colorful streamers (about 14 inches long) to the plate and slide a string through the punched hole. Be sure to knot the string and tape the other end of the string onto craft sticks to be sure it won't come undone!

Now you've got a beautiful kite! Parents, ask your children how they feel about what they have done: What is so unique about this kite? What makes it more special than a store-bought toy? How does it feel to give someone a gift? Why is gift giving so important at this special occasion?

Activity provided by Berenstain Bears See, Think, & Do Activity Guide at Berenstain Bears Online.

READ

Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch
Bear mistakes his own echo for the Moon's voice and thinks that Moon has his same birthday. Bear is looking for the perfect gift for Moon. Recommended for children ages 4 to 7.

Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre
This vibrant book introduces readers to a number of colorful characters who tell stories of Latin American holidays and customs. Recommended for children ages 9 to 12.