December 28

Prompt: December 28

We have done so much good this season.

What is your favorite activity we’ve done together?

As we head into the new year, what are some kind things you can do to continue spreading cheer?

Materials

Whatever you might want to make a list—the notes app on your phone, a laptop, or a piece of paper and pen.

Activity

Make a list of some kind things your child has done recently. This is a victory lap. Then, encourage your child to add to the list. What are some empathetic actions your child has witnessed lately? Would they like to replicate any of those? Is there anything else really kind your child would like to do? What does kindness look like to them? Come up with at least three specific actions that your child would like to do.

December 29: Choose-Your-Own-Kindness

Rhyming Prompt: December 29

When it comes to empathy, kindness, good deeds

You have all the knowledge that anyone needs.

The list that you made yesterday of kind stuff

Will help so many people when life feels too tough.

Today you should pick out one action you wrote

And put it to action. Take a vote

With your folks on the best one for today

And then go ahead and get on your way.

Download the prompts for December 29-31 here as a PDF or here as a Microsoft Word Document (you may have already printed these—I’m just re-posting them here for convenience).

An image of the December 29 prompt printed on cream cardstock with a green border. There is a gold wax impression of a frog in the corner, highlighted in silver. The card is nestled in a lit Christmas tree.

Other Materials:

Your list of brainstormed kindnesses from yesterday.

Suggested Pose:

Where does democracy happen in our house? In the schoolroom, usually, with our daily school bell, beside a chalk board where we generally write out pros and cons. Frantz knows this, of course, so is sitting by the bell waiting for that family vote to take place.

Frantz is sitting beside the brass schoolroom bell holding the daily prompt on his lap.

Activity:

With your child, decide which one of the empathetic ideas you brainstormed yesterday to do first! If possible, do it today, and if not, make a concrete plan for how and when you will do it.

Rationale:

This helps your child see how to take an idea from conception to fruition, and it puts them in the driver’s seat. Since people are generally more likely to do something if they think it was their idea, letting your kids take charge and plan their own empathetic activities encourages them to follow through.

Book Recommendation:

Is there anyone who doesn’t love an otter? Do Unto Otters, by Laurie Keller, is based on the golden rule and is truly adorable. You can watch a read aloud here.

The cover of Do Unto Otters, by Laurie Keller.