It’s Christmas season, a time when the world unites to celebrate the birth of Christ, and the very core of the Christian faith. Beyond the festivities, carols and delicious meals, Christmas is a season centred on love and giving.

As a parent, it is important you help your ward to understand the very reason for the season by teaching him or her to emulate these core values. Here are some vital steps to help brush on your ward’s understanding of the essence of Christmas.
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Christmas is all about reciprocating love through giving. Embrace the culture of sharing gifts with neighbours, friends and families. Occasionally have your children deliver gift items such as hampers, clothes, accessories and even meal baskets to neighbours in the community.

Let them experience first-hand the joy that thoughtful gifts can put in people’s hearts and the smiles it can put on their faces. This is a very crucial step to forming the fundamental knowledge on the essence of the Christmas season, as most children learn better through visuals and first-hand experiences.

Let your children learn through Christmas movies, and not just any kind of Christmas movies. Have them watch movies that convey tangible lessons that can be drawn from the origins of the season. Be sure to always test their intuition and attention to detail by quizzing them on the main messages they are able pick up from viewing such films. Above all, such movies must be engaging, fun and entertaining enough to retain the attention of your ward, while sharing important notes on the Christmas spirit.
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Performing fun family activities is another key means of educating your ward on the essence of this festive season. Find a way to engage every member of the family in Christmas related activities. These could include viewing Christmas movies at cinemas, attending Christmas carols, completing Christmas puzzles, setting up the Christmas tree or even just sitting round in the living room and playing Christmas-centred games. Let your ward feel the love and warmth of family bonds even more during the Christmas season.

The art of storytelling has proven to be an effective means of getting messages across to children from smaller age groups. Share folklores and stories that highlight the significance of the season. Also, take the opportunity to share the original Christmas story in detail with your wards. Allow them form their own opinions on the plot and the key characters. Encourage the reading of books on Christmas, and attach rewards, if possible, to completion of such stories.

In conclusion, children need to learn that beyond the new clothes, special meals and fireworks, Christmas is all about spreading love. Parents have to be at the forefront of helping their children come to a deeper understanding of the fundamental essence of the season.
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