Rhyming Prompt: December 23
The cocoa is sweeter when filled with marshmallows
Let’s add some and fill the cups of our fellows.
On each of these mugs write the name of someone
In your life who you love, it’ll be fun!
Then on each little marshmallow write something kind
I don’t need to tell you it’ll make them feel fine!
Download the prompts for December 21-24 here as a PDF or here as a Microsoft Word Document. You may have already printed these—I’m just reposting for convenience. I also wanted to post the next set of prompts extra early, just in case you’d like to plan ahead. Here they are for December 25-28 as a PDF and here as a Microsoft Word Document.
A closeup image of the prompt for December 23, nestled in a lit Christmas tree. It is printed on cream cardstock with a green border, and has a gold wax seal of a frog.
Other Materials:
You might be creative, but if you are less-than-artistically inclined, I’ve created this print-out of a cup and marshmallows. You’ll also want to have some cocoa, mugs, and marshmallows on hand for fun.
Suggested Pose:
I took this opportunity to make myself a truly decadent mug of hot cocoa and I recommend doing the same. Then, if you still have the energy, you can make a mug for your child, too!
Frantz is sitting quite indelicately in a festive mug. A matching mug beside him is filled with hot chocolate, and the day’s prompt and printout rest in front of him.
Activity:
Print out the cup of kindness template or draw one of your own. If you have older kids, they might have fun cutting out the pieces themselves. Each page has one mug and three marshmallows.
Help your kids brainstorm people they would like to say kind things about, and fill in the line on the mug with the name.
Then, on each marshmallow, write one kind thing about that person. It might help to suggest specific prompts, which could include:
The word that bests describes you:
You make me laugh when you:
You are really great at:
My favorite memory with you is:
You might glue the mug and the marshmallows to a card, string them on a garland, laminate them and turn them into Christmas ornaments, or just glue them to some construction paper. You could even cut a hole in the top of the mug and turn it into a game, with dropping in the marshmallows. Whatever your finished product looks like is up to you, the benefit is in having your kids appreciate others.
Have some cocoa to celebrate this love-fest.
Rationale:
This calls back to our earlier discussion of compliments and their power, but it also draws on the idea that gratitude can improve our own personal sense of well-being. This exercise helps your kids remember to show appreciation for kindness, gives them an opportunity to appreciate all of the good people in their lives, and invites them to strengthen those relationships even further. Plus, marshmallows! I rarely need more rationale than that.
Book Recommendation:
Since we’re drinking hot chocolate, it seems like a perfect occasion to read Grandpa Cacao by Elizabeth Zunon. This story describes a young girl baking a cake with her father while learning the story of her family’s history with cacao farming. It’s a great way to learn more about where our food comes from, and a chance to think about the people who make it. You can watch a read aloud here.
An image of the cover of Grandpa Cacao, by Elizabeth Zunon.