A note from Kimberly
I did a little reading on the meaning of Thanksgiving and wholeheartedly agree that it's all about expressing gratitude. I particularly enjoyed reading the following 3 points about Thanksgiving customs:
- To gather in unity – It is refreshing and invigorating when people come together, in celebration of a common purpose. It is a reconciliation of differences as well as a time of healing. In sharing our victories as well as our struggles, we find strength and hope.
- To teach the young – In stories retold, each generation brings purpose and significance to the richness of their heritage. Faded pictures, sentimental knick-knacks, even the prayer of Thanksgiving before the meal all form a Thanksgiving family legacy.
- To prepare the heart – In gratitude, we humbly reflect upon all the gifts (family, friends, health) that saturate our lives. By “giving-thanks” we choose to extend ourselves and give to others less fortunate. Out of the abundance of our hearts, we are able to offer our resources to help others.
- Read more HERE.
One tradition I started about 4 years ago was creating a thankful tree. Beginning November 1st, we add to our thankful tree each day (see picture above). I won this tree (it was intended to be a photo holder) at an event I attended and used it to display pictures until I had a different idea! I found some leaf cutouts and decided we'd use this as our Thanksgiving centerpiece. Each night (at least 5 out of 7 nights) we talk about what we are thankful for, write it on a leaf and put it on our tree. I keep it on our table and on Thanksgiving Day we take it with us to my in-laws as a table decoration. I love it when my in-laws ask my girls to explain what's on their thankful tree! They take great pride in sharing what they contribute.
It may seem too simple, but it has opened up some great conversations with my young girls. It's easy to say I'm thankful for my family (yes, family is very important), but I like to get my girls to tell me WHY.... I also like to get them to think beyond themselves and learn to be thankful in all situations. For example, how can we be thankful when our feelings get hurt or we don't get something that we really want?
This is one way we focus on gratitude in our home.
This Thanksgiving edition of Parent Perusals will offer some upcoming events and resources I've been hanging on to share with all of you, AND it will share some other family ideas and tips that you can consider incorporating in your home to foster gratitude and thanksgiving during this Thanksgiving season.
As I reflect on a professional level of what I'm most thankful for, it truly is the work I get to do to inform and inspire families through education. Thank you for being supporters of this great work!
Blessings,
Kimberly Baumgardner
GIVING Conversation Starters
- What was the best gift you ever received?
- What is something you love that you would like to share with someone else?
- What can you give or do for someone that doesn't cost any money?
Ages 6-12
- Talk about a time when someone did something thoughtful for you. What was it? Then, talk about a time when you did something thoughtful for someone else. How did it make you and the other person feel?
- What is a strength or gift you have that you could teach to others during the holiday season?
- If you could give one present to the whole world, what would it be and why?
Ages 13-18
- Think of a person in your family (living or not) who gave back to others. In what ways did he or she give to others? What could you do to be more like this person?
- Share a story of giving and ask each family member to name a cause that matters to him or her. how could you give your time or money to support one of these causes?
- Save enough local newspapers that everybody can read a front page, and then circle areas of need. How could you help, as individuals and as a family?
- Do you think it's more important to be kind or to be happy? Why? Discuss the importance of kindness and ways family members can display their kindness every day in small ways.
Taken from The Family Dinner Project. Download the Giving Conversations HERE.
Talk About: Thanks + Giving
- When is it especially important to say "thank you?" Do you notice when people thank you, or forget to thank you?
- How has your understanding of gratitude changed over the years? What did you feel most grateful for when you were younger? And today?
- If you had superpowers, what would they be and how would you use them to help people?
- What can you give or do for someone that doesn't cost any money?
- Do you know someone who is a giving person? How so? Who is it?
Fill in the Blanks Thanksgiving Word Game
A fun activity to practice nouns and adjectives! Taken from Scholastic Parents.
Download HERE.
Remaining November Parent Trainings at ESC-20
Tuesday, November 19, 2019, 9:00 a.m.--12:00 p.m.
The Benefits of Being Bilingual
This training session will provide an overview of the state bilingual programs and the research about the benefits of being bilingual.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 9:00 a.m.--12:00 p.m.
Parental Participation in the ARD Committee Meeting
Parents/guardians have a critical role in the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting process. Sometimes parents can feel uncertain of the process or how they should participate and ask questions. Join us for this session to discuss practical tips for effective communication, conflict resolution, and additional strategies that you can use in your next ARD committee meeting when planning appropriate services for your child. We will also discuss options available to address disagreements, resolve conflict and build consensus while keeping the lines of communication between you and the school open.
Family Engagement Program Manager, Education Service Center, Region 20
Kimberly has become quite passionate about empowering families to be more involved in their child's education and future as well as challenging and supporting schools to increase their efforts to involve families in their child's educational journey and focus on Family Engagement as an instructional tool that improves student's academic outcomes.
Kimberly enjoys living out in the country with her husband, Tyson and two daughters, Lynette & Lucy Sue.