Unleashing the learning love:
Appreciate the greatness in others.
How to Download and Print Your Activity Card.
1. Click the Download Button
The document will open in a new window/tab.
2. Download the PDF
Click the Download icon in the new window/tab.
3. Open and Print
Open the PDF and print in color for best results.
4. Enjoy the Activity!
Activity Card
A Season for Admiration
Christmas Eve is a perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on admiration and gratitude. During this festive time, recognizing and appreciating the good in others not only brings families closer together but also fosters mutual respect and understanding. These moments of admiration can deepen family bonds and teach children valuable emotional skills.
Fostering Gratitude and Admiration in Your Family
Here are some ways to create meaningful moments of admiration with your children, making the season even more special:
Share What You Admire About Each Other:
A wonderful tradition to start is having a family circle of admiration. During a cozy activity like decorating cookies or wrapping gifts, take a moment to share what you admire about one another. This could be as simple as appreciating a sibling’s helpfulness or recognizing a parent’s hard work.
Practical Tip: Ask your child, “What’s something you admire about your brother/sister today?” or “What do you appreciate most about our family traditions?” This encourages children to think about the positive qualities in those around them.
Create a Gratitude Tree or Jar:
To make the tradition even more engaging, set up a gratitude tree or jar where everyone writes down something they admire about someone else. At the end of the evening, read them out loud and celebrate each other’s strengths and contributions. This simple act helps children develop a mindset of gratitude and admiration.
Model Admiration and Gratitude:
Children often learn by observing, so take the time to express what you admire about your child or your partner. This reinforces the importance of verbalizing admiration and helps children learn to appreciate the people in their lives.
Practical Tip: Lead by example and say things like, “I admire how patient you were today” or “I really appreciate how you helped decorate the tree with so much enthusiasm.”
Incorporate Mindfulness and Reflection:
To make the moments of admiration more meaningful, encourage mindfulness practices to help your family stay present. Consider using Applejake®’s Mindfulness Journal to reflect on the things you admire throughout the day. This can be a great way to slow down and really focus on gratitude and admiration.
Practical Tip: After a family activity, ask, “What’s one thing that stood out today that made you feel happy or proud of someone else?” This helps your child practice appreciation in a thoughtful and reflective way.
By including admiration into your family traditions, you create an atmosphere of gratitude, respect, and emotional connection. These practices not only enhance the holiday spirit but also teach children valuable lessons about appreciating the good in others and fostering positive relationships.
Check out our Emotional Education Essentials!
Introducing Applejake® Emotional Resilience Resources – the ideal companions for nurturing your child's emotional growth! Whether you weave them into storytelling sessions or seamlessly integrate them into your daily rituals, our flashcards offer an engaging and interactive platform for kids to delve into the realms of empathy and emotional understanding. Through these flashcards, children acquire the skills to identify, describe, and convey their emotions in a wholesome and safe manner
